During a pivotal meeting of BRICS foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar issued a strong call to action. He urged the BRICS nations to actively champion and protect the global multilateral trading system, especially in the face of escalating protectionism and unpredictable tariff changes.
In a recent social media post, Mr. Jaishankar highlighted BRICS’ consistent role as a ‘strong voice of reason and constructive change’ during times when multilateral cooperation faces significant challenges.
He further stressed that in today’s volatile global landscape, BRICS must amplify its commitment to peacebuilding, open dialogue, robust diplomacy, and unwavering adherence to international legal principles.
Emphasizing economic stability, the Minister asserted that ‘as rising protectionism, tariff volatility, and non-tariff barriers disrupt global trade flows, BRICS nations have a duty to defend the fundamental tenets of the multilateral trading system.’
Also noteworthy: India recently exercised its Right of Reply at the UNGA, stating that the Pakistani military had pleaded for a cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor.
The Minister’s comments gain particular relevance just weeks after the United States imposed substantial 50% tariffs on India, which included a contentious 25% penalty for India’s oil purchases from Russia – a move that ranks among the highest tariff rates globally.
Beyond trade, Mr. Jaishankar also urged the BRICS bloc to collectively intensify its demand for comprehensive reforms within the United Nations’ primary organs, with a special focus on restructuring the UN Security Council.
Looking to the future, he proclaimed that ‘technology and innovation will undeniably shape the next crucial phase of BRICS cooperation.’
Highlighting India’s upcoming role as chair of the BRICS grouping in 2026, Mr. Jaishankar revealed that its agenda would prioritize critical areas such as food and energy security, combating climate change, and fostering sustainable development. These goals would be pursued through initiatives in digital transformation, support for startups, driving innovation, and reinforcing development partnerships.
In a series of engagements during the UN General Assembly session, Mr. Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with numerous foreign ministers, including those from Sierra Leone, Romania, Cuba, Austria, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Russia, Uruguay, Colombia, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Among these discussions was a meeting with UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where both leaders shared insights on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Union Minister described his interaction with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger as a ‘lively discussion,’ focusing on contemporary geopolitics and the strategic choices facing both India and Europe.
He also reported a ‘great meeting’ with ministers from IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa), noting that ‘IBSA made a strong call for the transformative reform of the UNSC.’
During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Mr. Jaishankar engaged in ‘useful discussions’ concerning bilateral relations, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and recent developments in West Asia. Additionally, he co-chaired the India-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio.
Reflecting on the India-CELAC meeting, Mr. Jaishankar stated, ‘We agreed to bolster our extensive cooperation across various established sectors, including agriculture, trade, health, digital initiatives, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and capacity building.’
He further noted the intention to ‘explore burgeoning fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced technology, critical minerals, space exploration, and renewable energy.’
Concluding his remarks on the CELAC engagement, the External Affairs Minister affirmed that both India and CELAC concur on the urgent necessity to ‘reform multilateral institutions to more accurately represent the voice and interests of the Global South.’