BRICS foreign ministers highlight group’s stabilising role during meeting in New Delhi

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that many countries today expect BRICS to play a constructive and stabilising role in the modern world. Areas of cooperation and practical steps for implementing this collaboration were discussed by foreign ministers and diplomats from BRICS countries, as well as partner states of the grouping, during a high-level meeting in New Delhi. This was reported by ANI, a TV BRICS partner.

Photo: IANS

The head of India’s foreign ministry personally welcomed the delegations before the discussions began. On the day of the general meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the event and held meetings with several foreign ministers, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

"As Chair, I thank each delegation for their presence and continued commitment to strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework. […] Development issues remain central. Many countries continue to face challenges on energy, food, fertiliser and health security, as well as access to finances. BRICS can help them respond more effectively. Economic resilience is also key. Reliable supply chains and diversified markets are its essential components. We must focus on both"

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar India’s External Affairs Minister

Jaishankar highlighted the progress made in the institutional development of BRICS. According to him, India, in its role as chair, is working on integrating new members and updating existing mechanisms to improve coordination within the grouping.

Photo: Ministry of External Affairs of India 

“Promoting a more inclusive and collaborative BRICS framework, we, as the Chair, have been engaging with Partner countries as well. […] It is essential for the smooth advancement of BRICS that later members fully appreciate and subscribe to BRICS' consensus on various important issues,” the Indian Foreign Minister stressed, as quoted by ANI, a TV BRICS partner.

In his speech, the Minister also noted the importance of joint efforts to reduce the digital development gap between countries and to address the consequences of climate change. Tackling climate challenges, he stressed, depends on financial commitments, ANI reported.

“Climate change continues to be a defining challenge. Climate action must go hand in hand with climate justice, with credible commitments, adequate financing, and accessible support,” Jaishankar stated.

For their part, the Foreign Ministers of the BRICS countries also outlined current priorities for cooperation. One of the key issues raised was the expansion of the United Nations Security Council.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty addressed several priority issues on the multilateral agenda, including reform of the global economic system and the UN Security Council.

Abdelatty also expressed Egypt’s intention to continue strengthening economic cooperation among BRICS countries by supporting the New Development Bank and promoting joint projects in energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and advanced technologies. He also highlighted initiatives proposed by Egypt within BRICS, including the establishment of a grain logistics centre in Port Said aimed at strengthening food security, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

China expressed support for India’s BRICS chairmanship, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stating the country’s readiness to cooperate with all BRICS participants.

“We are ready to work with all parties within BRICS, supporting India as the chair country, in successfully holding BRICS meetings and advancing the high-quality development of broader BRICS cooperation,” Guo said, as quoted by Global Times, a TV BRICS partner.

Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India Xu Feihong attended the ministerial meeting in New Delhi.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting is taking place on 14–15 May in New Delhi. The two-day gathering will define the strategic roadmap for the upcoming BRICS leaders’ summit.

India officially assumed the BRICS chairmanship on 1 January this year. This marks the country’s fourth chairmanship, having previously hosted BRICS summits in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

Photo: ANI