Pahalgam attack and India’s responseOn April 22, last year, 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in the Baisaran meadow area near Pahalgam in South Kashmir, a major tourist destination. The victims were segregated by the attackers based on religion before being shot in front of their families, triggering widespread outrage.

Security forces launched search operations in the surrounding areas following the attack, while investigations were expanded to trace the terrorist network and its logistical support. India responded with “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The 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. In the aftermath, Indian armed forces launched “Operation Mahadev” and tracked down and eliminated the three attackers involved in the Pahalgam killings.

Declaration backs India, Brazil for greater UN roleBeyond terrorism, the New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed Brics' support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the UN Security Council, with greater representation for developing countries. China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterated their support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.

The declaration called for greater and more meaningful participation and representation of emerging market and developing countries, as well as Least Developed Countries, in global decision-making processes. “We stress that the UN Security Council reform is to lead to the amplified voice of the Global South,” the declaration said.

The grouping also called for equitable geographical representation in the UN Secretariat and other international organisations, particularly at senior and decision-making levels. Brics raises concerns over trade measuresThe declaration also expressed serious concern over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, saying they distort trade, threaten global supply chains and create uncertainty for international economic activity.

Brics reaffirmed its support for reform of the World Trade Organization and called for an open, equitable, transparent, fair, inclusive, predictable and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core. The grouping also advocated the immediate restoration of an accessible, effective and fully functioning two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement mechanism and called for the appointment of new Appellate Body members without further delay.

On unilateral coercive measures, Brics condemned sanctions that it said were contrary to international law and reiterated its opposition to unilateral coercive measures, including those not authorised by the UN Security Council. The New Delhi Declaration was adopted during the 18th Brics Summit, being hosted by India on September 12-13 under its 2026 chairship.

India’s Brics chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva will hear on Monday the case titled, " In Re: 135-yr-old library, 8.5 lakh books-and no room in the Centra...