BRICS declaration significant, but Pak won't shift policy: Michael Kugelman

Kugelman says, "this is a highly significant development."

Will the BRICS declaration lead to a policy shift in Pakistan? India scored a diplomatic victory when the BRICS declaration recognised several terror groups including the ones operating from Pakistan as a threat.

Experts are of the view that this is a highly significant development and could be a game changer. However the question is will it lead to a policy shift in Pakistan? OneIndia caught up with Michael Kugelman, Deputy director‪, Asia Program‬ and South Asia senior associate ‪at The WilsonCenter‬.

Kugelman says, "this is a highly significant development. Some observers have downplayed the importance of this declaration given that it's just a matter of singling out terrorist groups that have already been formally banned in Pakistan."

"I think that misses the point. This is a case of China, which has repeatedly stymied efforts to sanction terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and especially Jaish-e-Mohammed in global forums, signing on to a formal statement condemning these very groups. And it's the first time that this has been done via BRICS. To be sure, BRICS is not the world's most powerful and influential global organization, but it's still a notable entity that comprises some of the world's key players--including, first and foremost, China."

"All this said, I don't think this will lead to any policy shifts in Pakistan. The impact of the declaration likely won't extend beyond the declaration itself, and it will likely be forgotten in the coming weeks. Still, it has set a precedent that should give Pakistan cause for worry, at the very least."

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