External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Represents India at 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar joined world leaders at the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. As part of the Indian delegation, he participated in a photo session with other heads of delegations and shared updates on social media, signaling India's active engagement in the BRICS Outreach session.

Key Highlights from Jaishankar’s Address

During his address, Jaishankar echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s famous “not an era of war” remark, emphasizing India's stance on international conflicts. He reiterated the need for a two-state solution to the ongoing West Asian conflict affecting Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel. He stressed the importance of adhering to international law and maintaining zero tolerance for terrorism.

Jaishankar expressed concern over the potential spread of conflict in the Middle East, warning of the severe human and material consequences of further escalation. Maritime trade has already been impacted by the instability in the region. He called for a fair and durable resolution, highlighting that the solution must lead to peace and stability.

BRICS Summit: Focus on the Global South

The 16th BRICS Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, brought together leaders from BRICS member countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Discussions centered on key global issues, including multilateralism, countering terrorism, fostering economic growth, and supporting sustainable development. Jaishankar emphasized that BRICS could play a vital role in addressing the concerns of the Global South.

During the BRICS Plus session at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center, Jaishankar met with various heads of delegations and explored ways to strengthen cooperation. The BRICS leaders also welcomed 13 new partner countries into the group.

Five Key Points from Jaishankar’s Speech at BRICS

Strengthening Independent Platforms
Jaishankar stressed the importance of expanding independent platforms and reducing reliance on dominant powers that may exploit global systems. He emphasized that BRICS has the potential to offer more options to the Global South, providing greater autonomy in decision-making.

Reforming the United Nations and Multilateral Institutions
A critical point in Jaishankar’s speech was the need to reform global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. He called for changes to both the permanent and non-permanent categories, along with updates to the procedures of multilateral development banks. He lauded the efforts made during India’s G20 Presidency and praised Brazil for continuing these initiatives.

Democratizing the Global Economy
Jaishankar highlighted the need to create more production hubs globally to reduce supply chain disruptions, referencing the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. By establishing more resilient and region-specific production centers, countries can meet essential needs without being overly reliant on global supply chains.

Addressing Global Infrastructure Gaps
Jaishankar spoke about the urgent need to rectify infrastructure imbalances, many of which are legacies of the colonial era. He called for collective efforts to create better connectivity options while respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty. Such efforts, he said, would benefit all nations by improving logistics and reducing risks.

Respecting International Agreements
Jaishankar concluded by emphasizing that once agreements are made, they must be respected and upheld with integrity. This sentiment was a clear call for stronger global cooperation and adherence to established international norms.

Jaishankar’s participation at the BRICS Summit highlighted India's commitment to addressing global challenges and promoting the interests of the Global South.

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His calls for reforming multilateral institutions, democratizing the global economy, and respecting international agreements resonated with the Summit’s overarching goals. As BRICS continues to expand and evolve, India remains a key player in shaping its direction and ensuring that global governance becomes more inclusive and equitable.