- EAM Jaishankar urged deeper BRICS cooperation amid global geopolitical and economic challenges
- He highlighted the need for reliable supply chains and diversified markets for economic resilience
- Jaishankar emphasized BRICS role in addressing energy, food, health security, and finance access issues
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday called for deeper cooperation within BRICS, saying the grouping has an increasingly important role to play as geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions reshape the global landscape.
Delivering the opening remarks at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India, Jaishankar said the world was passing through a period of “considerable flux” marked by ongoing conflicts, volatility in trade and technology, and climate-related challenges.
“There is a growing expectation, particularly from emerging markets and developing countries, that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising role,” he said.
The minister added that BRICS members must use the platform to develop greater convergence on critical global issues at a time when international relations are becoming increasingly complicated and uncertain.
Supply Chains, Diversified Markets Key To Resilience
A major theme of Jaishankar's remarks was economic resilience, with the minister highlighting the importance of reliable supply chains and diversified markets amid growing fragmentation in global trade and manufacturing networks.
“Reliable supply chains and diversified markets are essential components of economic resilience. We must focus on both,” he said.
Jaishankar also underlined the continued pressures faced by developing economies in areas such as energy, food, fertiliser and health security, alongside access to finance. He said BRICS could help countries respond more effectively to these challenges through stronger coordination and cooperation.
The minister further pointed to the rapid pace of technological change, saying advancements in technology could be leveraged to promote inclusive growth and improve governance frameworks across economies.
India Pushes Inclusive BRICS Framework
Highlighting India's BRICS chairship, Jaishankar said New Delhi had so far organised over 80 BRICS meetings with active participation from member countries.
He added that India had also engaged partner countries in an effort to make the grouping more inclusive while taking forward discussions on institutional reforms and integration of newer members.
“It is essential for the smooth advancement of BRICS that later members fully appreciate and subscribe to the BRICS consensus on various important issues,” Jaishankar said.
He also reiterated the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and stronger cooperation against terrorism, saying peace and security challenges remained central to the global order.
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