NEW DELHI (TIP): The growing threat from Islamic State and its spread has made the BRICS to work. The member nations have decided to pool in efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism sprouting from the West Asia and North Africa region, exchange best practices in counter-terrorism and join hands on cyber-security and energy security.

These three issues figured prominently during the meeting of the Brazil-Russia–India–China-South Africa high representatives responsible for security in their respective countries. The sixth meeting of this group was chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval who hosted the event.

“While highlighting the need for resolution of outstanding disputes in the WANA region through dialogue peaceful means and in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN charter, BRICS High Representatives also agreed to pool BRICS’ efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism emanating from the region,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said here. The focus appears to be to work together in battling the ISIS that breeds in Syria and Iraq.

In the area of cyber security/information security, the representatives agreed to strengthen joint efforts on enhancing cyber security by sharing of information and best practices, combating cybercrimes, improving cooperation between technical and law enforcement agencies, including joint cyber security R&D and capacity building. They encouraged cooperation and exchanging of best practices, expertise, information and knowledge on counterterrorism issues. In this context, they welcomed the first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Counter Terrorism that was held a day before.

Agreeing to expand BRICS Counter Terrorism cooperation further, they said this would include measures for denying terrorists access to finance and terror-hardware such as equipment, arms and ammunition. They underscored the need for a global legal regime to deal with the global menace of terrorism.