New Delhi, May 14: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called for stronger BRICS cooperation, urgent reform of global institutions and a united stand against terrorism as India hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the national capital amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.
Foreign ministers and senior representatives from BRICS member nations gathered in New Delhi for the high-level summit meeting under India’s chairship, with discussions focusing on global conflicts, energy security, climate change, terrorism, trade disruptions and reform of multilateral institutions.
Addressing the inaugural session, Jaishankar said the world was passing through “a time of considerable flux in international relations” marked by “ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade, technology, and climate.” “There is a growing expectation, particularly from emerging markets and developing countries, that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilizing role,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of India’s engagement during its BRICS chairship, Jaishankar said more than 80 BRICS meetings had already been organised with active participation from all member countries. “We have also taken forward discussions on institutional development, including the integration of new members through a stocktake and updation of existing mechanisms,” he said, adding that it was essential for the “smooth advancement of BRICS” that new members fully subscribe to the grouping’s consensus on major issues.
The summit witnessed participation from foreign ministers, diplomats and senior officials of BRICS nations, with deliberations centred on strengthening economic resilience, reliable supply chains, climate cooperation and technological collaboration.
In his national statement during the session on global and regional issues, Jaishankar warned that the international system was facing “unprecedented geopolitical and economic uncertainty” driven by conflicts, climate events and the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic.
“What we are witnessing is not a series of isolated events, but a convergence of challenges testing the resilience of multilateral systems,” he said.
Referring to the situation in West Asia, Jaishankar said continuing tensions and risks to maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea posed serious concerns for global economic stability.
“Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, remain vital for global economic well-being,” he said.
On the Gaza conflict, the External Affairs Minister said a “sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a credible pathway towards a durable and peaceful resolution remain essential,” while reiterating India’s support for a two-state solution on Palestine.
Jaishankar also strongly criticised cross-border terrorism and called for a uniform global approach against terror networks. “Terrorism remains a continuing threat. There can be no justification for terrorism in any form. Cross-border terrorism violates the basic principles of international relations. Zero tolerance must remain an uncompromising and universal norm,” he said.
Calling for reforms in global governance structures, Jaishankar said the weakening state of multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations, was a matter of serious concern.
“With each passing day, the case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger. This includes the reform of the UN Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. Continued delay comes at a high cost,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns over unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures, saying such actions disproportionately hurt developing countries and “cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy.”
India is hosting the BRICS ministerial meeting as chair amid growing expectations that the grouping will play a larger role in shaping an alternative and more inclusive global order.
