Representatives from the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on Thursday agreed to intensify their cooperation against militant groups in the West Asia and North Africa region, The Hindu reported. National security advisors from the bloc's member countries decided to focus on finding political solutions to “outstanding issues” in the region.

The meeting between the NSAs also emphasised the need for “peace building” through dialogue “in accordance with the international law and principles of the United Nations charter”, a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs said. The representatives of the member countries also agreed to improve cooperation between their law enforcement agencies as well as holding joint research and development sessions for cyber security, PTI reported.

The group also welcomed the first meeting of the Brics Working Group on Counter Terrorism, which was held on Wednesday. “They also agreed to expand BRICS counter-terrorism cooperation further to include measures for denying terrorists access to finance and terror hardware such as equipment, arms and ammunition,” the statement by the External Affairs Ministry added.

The meeting comes ahead of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, which is expected to discuss counter-terrorism. China, India and Russia have been attempting to form diplomatic channels to resolve some of the crises in the West Asia and North Africa region. In August, India sent a diplomatic team headed by Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar to Syria and Iraq for discussions with their leaders.