September 29, 2025
EAM urged BRICS to reinforce peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law
He called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to ensure fairer global governance
The minister emphasised the importance of defending multilateral trade against protectionism and barriers
He emphasised technology, innovation, and sustainable development as priorities for India’s BRICS chairship
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York, highlighting the bloc’s pivotal role in advancing multilateralism and constructive engagement.
He stressed that BRICS has consistently served as a voice of reason and a driver of constructive change at a time when multilateralism faces strain. He underscored the need for the group to champion peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy, and strict adherence to international law in an increasingly turbulent global environment.
On institutional reforms, Jaishankar stated that the bloc must amplify its long-standing call for a comprehensive overhaul of the United Nations’ key organs, particularly the Security Council, to create more representative and effective global governance.
Addressing economic challenges, he said that with growing protectionism, volatile tariffs, and non-tariff barriers affecting trade flows, BRICS must act decisively to defend the multilateral trading system.
He also pointed to technology and innovation as central to the next phase of BRICS cooperation. Outlining India’s priorities as the current BRICS Chair, he said the focus would be on food and energy security, climate change, and sustainable development, driven by digital transformation, startups, innovation, and stronger development partnerships.
Jaishankar also held a meeting of the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers in New York. The grouping reiterated its commitment to transformative reforms of the UN Security Council. The discussion covered the IBSA Academic Forum, a maritime exercise, the Trust Fund, and intra-IBSA trade, with an agreement to continue frequent meetings.
In addition, he co-chaired the India-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, trade, health, digital technologies, disaster response, and capacity-building, while exploring new areas such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space, and renewable energy. Both sides also emphasised the urgent need for reforms in multilateral institutions to represent the Global South better.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with several counterparts, including Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, and Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio.
Source: The Hindu