The Brics countries have condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, in the New Delhi Declaration 2026 adopted at the 18th Brics Summit. The declaration, published by the Times of India, states that all acts of terrorism are 'criminal and unjustifiable' regardless of their motivation, and calls for 'zero tolerance' towards the menace. The attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow area near Pahalgam, was marked by the segregation of victims by religion before they were shot in front of their families, triggering widespread outrage.

The declaration, as reported by the Times of India, reaffirms Brics' commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing, and safe havens. It also stresses that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, or ethnic group. The grouping called for the expeditious finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the UN framework and urged greater cooperation among Brics countries to counter extremism and radicalisation, particularly among younger generations.

India responded to the attack with 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, which involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation marked a major escalation with Pakistan, followed by a four-day conflict that ended with a ceasefire on May 10 after Islamabad's request. Indian armed forces then launched 'Operation Mahadev' and tracked down and eliminated the three attackers involved in the Pahalgam killings. The declaration also supports India's stance on the need for greater representation of developing countries in global decision-making processes, including within the UN Security Council.

The Hindustan Times reports that the declaration also expresses 'deep concern' over the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the Iran-US war in February 2026. It calls for maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation, while encouraging dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. The declaration also highlights the need for a multilateral approach to international disputes and the importance of maintaining global trade and energy flows in accordance with international law.

The declaration was adopted during the 18th Brics Summit, hosted by India on September 12-13 under its 2026 chairship. The summit's theme was 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.' The declaration also raises concerns over unilateral trade measures and calls for reform of the World Trade Organization to ensure an open, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system. It condemns sanctions that are contrary to international law and opposes unilateral coercive measures not authorised by the UN Security Council.

The declaration does not attribute the attack to any specific group or state, nor does it provide details on the perpetrators' identities or motivations. The focus remains on the condemnation of the act itself and the call for global cooperation in combating terrorism. The declaration's adoption marks a significant step in Brics' collective stance on security and international cooperation, though the full implications of the declaration on regional and global dynamics remain to be seen.