Patanjali Civil Services Academy

12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum

Tags: Prelims Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Indian Express

Context: Adopted a joint declaration condemning the Pahalgam terror attack (22 April 2025), which killed 26 people.
Participants: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Key outcomes:
- Condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens.
- Called for zero tolerance for terrorism and accountability under national and international law.
- Urged early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) under the United Nations framework.
- Called for United Nations (UN) reforms, including reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
- Expressed concern over escalating tensions in West Asia, urging restraint.
BRICS: Originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Its expanded membership includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
UNSC composition: 15 members — 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
CCIT: A proposed international treaty intended to provide a comprehensive legal framework for preventing and prosecuting international terrorism. Its adoption remains under negotiation at the UN.

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding BRICS and its institutional framework:

BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
All BRICS members are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) is a proposed treaty under the United Nations framework that seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework against international terrorism.
The United Nations Security Council has 15 members, of which 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China; South Africa joined in 2010.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Only China and Russia among the original BRICS members are permanent members of the UNSC. BRICS membership does not confer permanent membership of the Security Council.
Statement 3 is correct: The CCIT seeks to establish a comprehensive international legal framework to prevent and prosecute terrorism. Its adoption has remained under negotiation at the UN.
Statement 4 is correct: The UNSC comprises five permanent and ten non-permanent members. Non-permanent members serve two-year terms.