BRICS Summit Focuses on Recent Terrorism, Skips Mumbai 2008 Tragedy
The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro drew plenty of attention this year, but not all for the reasons you’d think. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other top leaders from Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa, dedicated much of their discussions to tackling recent terror incidents. The Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives, took center stage. What set eyebrows raising back in India, though, was the glaring omission of any mention of the 2008 Mumbai attacks—the deadliest terror strike in Indian history.
This decision did not go unnoticed. In the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament, the opposition wasted no time grilling the government. They asked why the Mumbai attacks, fresh in the national psyche and etched in global memory, were skipped during crucial international diplomacy. Some MPs argued this omission raises uncomfortable questions about the government's consistency, especially when it comes to calling out Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. For many, not mentioning Mumbai felt like a missed chance to remind the world — and Pakistan — of the continuing wounds those attacks left behind.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act Under Scrutiny
The BRICS declaration still packed some big statements. Leaders urged the United Nations to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)—a proposal that India has been championing for years. They also underlined the need for countries to stop playing favorites and end 'double standards' when responding to global terror threats. These calls echoed India’s usual stance: tough on terrorism and vocal about international cooperation. Yet, the lack of concrete references to historical attacks like Mumbai left some MPs disappointed, suggesting India’s diplomatic messaging isn’t always as forceful as its public posturing.
Beyond terrorism, the summit showed unity on climate issues as BRICS countries threw their weight behind India’s aim to host COP33, the 2028 UN Climate Change Conference. This move was widely welcomed in Parliament as a signal that India’s influence on the global stage is on the rise, not just in security, but also in climate leadership.
The real friction in Parliament, though, was about priorities. Some MPs pointed out the gap between India’s aggressive language on terrorism at home and what actually makes it into international agreements at events like BRICS. On paper, there’s clear support for multilateral efforts and for India’s big diplomatic goals. But, critics argue, the reluctance to mention the Mumbai attacks—despite plenty of chances—shows the government sometimes pulls its punches, perhaps to keep tricky international relationships from fraying further, especially with Pakistan.
The takeaway? India’s leaders are working hard to juggle delicate diplomatic ties, global ambitions, and tough questions from their own lawmakers—sometimes at the cost of highlighting their most painful national memories on the world stage.