Representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the virtual BRICS Leaders’ Meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar delivered a pointed and far-reaching address on Monday, calling on BRICS nations to take thelead in shaping a more equitable, resilient and reformed global order.
Opening his remarks by conveying the PM’s greetings, Jaishankar stated that the current state of global affairs is a cause for serious concern, citing cascading crises over the past few years — from the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, to climate disasters, supply chain disruptions, and a slowdown in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.
“The multilateral system appears to be failing the world,” Jaishankar warned. “That so many serious stresses are being left unaddressed is understandably having consequences for the global order itself.”
Emphasising the human and economic toll of ongoing conflicts, Jaishankar urged BRICS leaders to take a firm position on resolving disputes diplomatically, noting the direct implications for development, food, energy, and fertilizer security, especially in the Global South.
“A selective protection cannot be a global answer,” he said. “An early end to the hostilities and undertaking diplomacy to ensure a durable solution is the obvious pathway before us.”
He also noted that attacks on shipping routes affect not just trade but livelihoods, making the case for peace as a precondition for sustainable development.
Jaishankar delivered a sharp critique of international organizations, stating that recent years have seen gridlocks and institutional paralysis, particularly in the United Nations and the UN Security Council.
“These experiences have only made the case for reformed multilateralism more urgent,” he asserted. “BRICS has taken a positive view of this need, and we expect it to become a collective voice for much-awaited change.”
On global economic matters, the EAM underscored the urgent need for stable, predictable trade environments and resilient supply chains that are shorter, redundant, and diversified geographically.
“It is imperative that economic practices are fair, transparent, and to everyone’s benefit,” Jaishankar said. “We must democratise manufacturing and encourage growth across different geographies to build regional self-sufficiency and mitigate global shocks.”
Highlighting India’s own trade deficits with BRICS partners, he called for a review of intra-BRICS trade flows and more constructive, cooperative approaches to sustainable trade, while warning against linking trade measures to non-trade issues.
India, he said, remains firmly committed to a trading system that is open, fair, inclusive, rules-based, and provides Special and Differential Treatment for developing nations.
“These foundational principles must be protected and nurtured,” he stressed.
Jaishankar also issued a strong appeal for renewed focus on climate action and climate justice, warning that both are slipping from global priorities. He called for innovative and inclusive solutions, urging BRICS nations to consider supporting India-led initiatives such as, The International Solar Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, The Global Biofuels Alliance.
“We need new thinking and initiatives as well,” he said, “to restore momentum to the global climate conversation.”
In conclusion, Jaishankar thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for hosting the meeting and providing a platform for India to express its vision for a stable, fair, and future-ready global order.
