New Delhi, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed his approval of the BRICS summit‘s condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He emphasized that India welcomes any consensus against terrorism that is clearly articulated.
In a conversation in New Delhi, Khurshid noted the significant pain and suffering India has endured due to terrorism. He highlighted the presence of several countries at the BRICS conference that maintain close ties with Pakistan. Despite this, he believes it is crucial to achieve a consensus regarding the Pahalgam attack. Although the declaration did not mention Pakistan by name, it condemned the attack, and Khurshid stressed the need for concrete steps to prevent future terrorist incidents in India. He called for clarity on what actions will be taken and when.
Regarding the Delhi Declaration from the BRICS summit, Khurshid pointed out that it included several points that likely required extensive negotiation. He noted that countries like Iran and the UAE, which face different circumstances and conflicts, also signed the declaration. Furthermore, Russia and China were among the signatories. The mention of Palestine and Gaza in the declaration was welcomed, as achieving consensus on these issues is also significant.
On the topic of alternatives to the dollar, Khurshid remarked that no clear substitute has emerged yet. However, discussions on new adjustments and alternative arrangements have taken place, presenting some positive aspects. He noted that a shift in the global order is underway, and the focus should be on what new system will replace the old one. The concepts of non-alignment and fairness need to be reintroduced in a new format, which he believes was hinted at during the BRICS summit.
Khurshid also commented on the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, addressing questions raised by Congress regarding Operation Sindoor. He indicated that the opposition has long sought clear answers on these matters, both inside and outside Parliament, but has yet to receive satisfactory responses. He expressed concern that this issue may not have been adequately addressed at the BRICS summit and urged the government to inform the opposition about the topics discussed and China’s responses.
When asked about India’s achievements at the BRICS summit, Khurshid asserted that merely holding the presidency is not a significant accomplishment. He explained that it is a rotational process among member countries, with Brazil having held the presidency before India, and China set to take over next year. Therefore, it is not appropriate to present India’s presidency as a unique achievement. The real question is what contributions India made during its presidency and how it facilitated consensus on critical issues.
Khurshid commented on the Malaysian Prime Minister’s remarks regarding Zakir Naik, stating that while discussions may have occurred, concrete outcomes need to be assessed before drawing conclusions. He emphasized that India should clearly communicate its priorities during discussions with every nation. He raised concerns about what priorities were set during talks with China and insisted that the government should keep the public informed about the outcomes.
He expressed pleasure over the meeting between the Malaysian Prime Minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that opposition leaders should be included in such significant discussions. Khurshid criticized the government for not consulting with the opposition beforehand and for failing to clarify which issues should be prioritized at the BRICS summit. He called for a briefing for opposition leaders following the conference, asserting that unilateral actions by the government without opposition involvement are detrimental to democracy.
On the controversy surrounding the screening of a documentary about Umar Khalid, Khurshid emphasized the importance of understanding the reasons behind the objections. He noted that the documentary has been shown in various places, and people are entitled to agree or disagree with its content. Supporters can voice their opinions, as can those who oppose it, which is a fundamental aspect of democracy. He suggested that decisions regarding screenings should be left to the management of the respective institutions, stating that it is not appropriate to provide reactions from a distance on every issue.
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