New York: Jaishankar hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting, stresses multilateralism, UN reforms

New York [US], September 27 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday hosted a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers in New York, highlighting the bloc’s pivotal role in promoting multilateralism and constructive international engagement.

Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar highlighted that “when multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change.”

He emphasised the need for the bloc to reinforce principles of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law in a turbulent global environment.

“In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

On institutional reforms, Jaishankar stated, “BRICS must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council,” reflecting the group’s long-standing demand for more representative and effective global governance.

He also addressed economic challenges, stating, “as rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system.”

Jaishankar also pointed out that “technology and innovation would define the next phase of BRICS cooperation.”

Outlining India’s priorities as the current Chair of BRICS, he stated, “India’s Chairship will focus on food and energy security, climate change, and sustainable development through digital transformation, startups, innovation, and strengthened development partnerships.”

Jaishankar also had a “great meeting” of the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers in New York, where the grouping reiterated its commitment to transformative reform of the UN Security Council.

“A great meeting of the IBSA Ministers in New York this evening. IBSA made a strong call for the transformative reform of the UNSC,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

“Discussions also on IBSA Academic Forum, maritime exercise, Trust Fund and intra-IBSA trade. IBSA will continue to meet frequently,” he added.

He also co-chaired the India-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, alongside Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio of Colombia.

“Delighted to co-chair the India-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting along with FM Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio of Colombia in New York this morning,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

“We agreed to strengthen our existing broad-based cooperation in fields such as agriculture, trade, health, digital, HADR and capacity building. Also to explore emerging areas such as AI, technology, critical minerals, space and renewables. India & CELAC also concur on the urgent need to reform multilateral institutions to better represent the Voice of the Global South,” the post added.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene, Uruguay Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, and Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. (ANI)

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