External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasizes BRICS about the need for multilateral institution reform and combating terrorism.
Image source: REUTERS
At a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers held in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the critical role of the BRICS grouping in shaping a new global order.
Jaishankar called on the member countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to act as a “symbol of change” in addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts worldwide, and the need for international reforms.
Reforming Global Decision-Making:
Highlighting the inadequacies of the current international architecture, Jaishankar stressed the urgent need for reforming vital multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
He expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in reforming these institutions and urged BRICS members to demonstrate sincerity in their efforts to transform global decision-making.
Economic Concentration and Fragility:
Jaishankar pointed out that economic concentration has left many nations vulnerable, whether in terms of production, resources, services, or connectivity.
Image source: Tweet by Minister Jaishankar
Recent experiences related to health, energy, and food security have further exposed this fragility. The minister stressed the importance of promoting economic decentralization to enhance political democratization, a concept India has been actively championing at the G20.
Combating Terrorism and its Financing:
Recognizing terrorism as a significant threat to global peace and security, Jaishankar urged all nations to take resolute measures against this menace.
He emphasized the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing and propaganda, firmly stating that it should never be condoned under any circumstances.
BRICS as a Catalyst:
The BRICS nations, collectively representing some of the world’s largest developing countries, can potentially drive significant change on the global stage.
Jaishankar called on the group to send a powerful message that the world is multipolar, undergoing rebalancing and that outdated approaches cannot effectively address contemporary challenges.
Bilateral Meetings:
Minister Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting. The two ministers discussed various issues on the bilateral agenda, as well as international and regional challenges.
Image source: Tweet by Minister Jaishankar
They commended the positive dynamics of cooperation between India and Russia and emphasised their commitment to building a fair and multipolar system of interstate relations.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and confronts complex global challenges, the BRICS grouping has been called upon to embrace its role as a symbol of change.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar urged BRICS nations to push for reforms of international institutions, combat terrorism in all its forms, and promote economic decentralization for political democratization.
The upcoming BRICS Summit, to be hosted by South Africa in August, will provide a platform for further discussions on expanding the group and fostering greater trade between member countries using national currencies.
The call for change comes at a crucial time, as the international community strives to address the deep-rooted shortcomings of the current global order and shape a more equitable and resilient future.
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