India on Thursday began hosting the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, where External Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar underscored the bloc’s growing role in shaping a more balanced global order.
Addressing the session titled ‘BRICS@20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’, attended by BRICS members and partner nations, Jaishankar highlighted the grouping’s expanding role in promoting multipolarity and practical cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, he said BRICS derives its strength from its independence and diversity, adding that the grouping is increasingly viewed as a platform for change and reform. He noted that BRICS embodies multipolarity, offers de-risking and diversification options, and is guided by the principles of mutual respect and sovereign equality.
The minister stated that BRICS has expanded both its agenda and membership in response to evolving global realities, while maintaining a strong focus on people-centric development and practical cooperation. He also pointed to institutions such as the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement as examples of BRICS’ ability to create credible alternative frameworks.
He outlined India’s efforts to strengthen resilience through improving supply chains, diversifying markets, enhancing early warning systems, building climate-resilient infrastructure and advancing digital integration for social welfare.
On innovation, he cited initiatives including the BRICS Incubator Network, the Science and Research Repository, and the Youth Startup Platform.
To deepen cooperation, he pointed to the BRICS MSME Connect Portal, the Trade Receivables Discounting System, and strengthened partnerships in agriculture and health.
The minister also stressed continued focus on climate action, clean energy and sustainable growth pathways to advance sustainability across member states.
Expressing confidence in the bloc’s future direction, he said these initiatives would strengthen BRICS in line with the principles of international understanding, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, full consultation and consensus.