Johannesburg, Jun 4 (UNI) Stating that the BRICS nations have played an important role in shaping the global economic and political architecture, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday reiterated India’s call for a BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy for joint-action with a focus on money laundering, terrorist-finance, cyber-space and de-radicalization.

Addressing BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting here, Ms Swaraj said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a call for a BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy for joint-action with a focus on money laundering, terrorist-finance, cyber-space and de-radicalization as our priorities.”

She also added, “Our leaders have also called for making UN Counter Terrorism framework efficient and effective. We reiterate our commitment to implement our Leaders’ mandate on counter terrorism under South Africa’s BRICS Chairship.”

The minister is on a five-day tour to South Africa to attend BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting.

“Our meeting today takes place at a time when multilateralism, international trade, and rules based world order face strong head-winds. Though, the global growth has exhibited signs of recovery, the challenges to long-term growth continue to persist. Ensuring that the benefits of globalization are shared widely remains a challenge,” Ms Swaraj said.

She also hailed South Africa’s Summit theme devoted to Development in Africa in an Inclusive manner and said, “We also welcome the focus on technology as the engine of future-growth and its significance for future generations and their employment prospects.”

She will also chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues.

The BRICS had begun with the Foreign Ministers’ customary meeting on UNGA margins in 2006 and since then it has had productive exchanges in taking stock of global political affairs.

Next month, heads of member countries will meet at Johannesburg BRICS Summit in South Africa.

She also expressed hope that under the chairship of South Africa, the organization will reach to a new level.

UNI ASH/ VT 1721