Srinagar, Sep 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday described the BRICS Summit’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack as a significant success of India’s foreign policy, saying the naming of the attack was particularly important given the presence of countries considered close to Pakistan at the summit.
“The fact that Pahalgam itself was condemned is a big thing. Please see how many allies of Pakistan were in that room. Therefore, for even Pahalgam to be mentioned by name, that in itself is a success of our foreign policy,” CM Omar told reporters in Srinagar.
The BRICS leaders, in the New Delhi Declaration adopted on Saturday, condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, and called for zero tolerance towards state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
The declaration reaffirmed the BRICS countries’ commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists, disrupt terror financing networks and dismantle safe havens.
The CM said the development was significant from the perspective of India’s diplomatic efforts, particularly because the BRICS grouping includes countries that maintain close relations with Pakistan.
He also welcomed the reported de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), saying any reduction in tensions would benefit people living in areas close to the borders.
“Anything that reduces tension on the Line of Control (LoC) or the LAC is a good step. Particularly for those people who live close to it, and we know how difficult it is for people living near the LoC or LAC,” he said.
CM Omar said he hoped the improvement would eventually extend to the Line of Control as well.
On China’s positive comments about India’s foreign policy, he said New Delhi should not seek validation from other countries, arguing that India’s foreign policy should be assessed on its own terms.
“Our foreign policy is our own. Why do we look for other countries’ certificates?” the CM said.
He cautioned against attaching excessive importance to either praise or criticism from foreign governments, saying India could not selectively accept external comments when they suited its position.
“If tomorrow China were to say something against our foreign policy, then what will you do?” CM Omar said.
Turning to domestic politics, he sharply criticised the BJP’s approach to the proposed Uniform Civil Code, asking the party to introduce the legislation in Parliament if it has the numbers to pass it.
“If you have the numbers, bring it to Parliament. Why are you doing it through different states?” the CM said.
He questioned the BJP’s ability to secure support even within the National Democratic Alliance, pointing to reports that the Janata Dal (United) had opposed implementation of the UCC in Bihar.
CM Omar accused the BJP of attempting to bring the UCC “through the backdoor” by pursuing it through individual states rather than Parliament.
“The way their own allies are not in favour of it, I don’t think they will be able to get it passed in Parliament. That is perhaps why they are taking this route,” he said.
The CM also questioned whether a UCC could genuinely be described as “universal” if it was implemented only in states governed by the BJP.
“The whole country is not a BJP-ruled state. There are a number of states and territories that the BJP does not rule. Therefore, if you apply it only to BJP states, it is not a universal (law),” he said.
CM Omar argued that legislation of such a nature should be decided at the national level rather than separately by individual states.
“Something that is of this nature should not be decided by individual states; it has to be decided by the country as a whole. The country as a whole is represented not in the states, but in Parliament,” he said.
The CM alleged that the BJP had previously spoken extensively about major legislative proposals, including “One Nation, One Election” and reservation, but had not brought some of them before Parliament.
“Up until now, whatever legislation they spoke about – whether it was ‘One Nation, One Election’ or reservation – they did not bring those to Parliament. Now, for this one as well, they are talking about bringing it through the states,” he said.
