India welcomed Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia as new members of the BRICS grouping on Monday, as their representatives attended an important meeting of the grouping hosted by Russia, which took over the BRICS membership for a year on January 1. Senior diplomat Dammu Ravi represented the Indian delegation in Nizhny Novgorod, western Russia.
In an official statement, the ministers expressed their appreciation for “the proactive engagement of the new members of BRICS and assured continued support to their smooth and full incorporation into BRICS partnership mechanisms” at the meeting. The ministers also discussed major regional and worldwide trends and issues with their counterparts.
The gathering on Monday marked the first ministerial summit after the BRICS was expanded in 2023 in addition to the existing members.
The meeting was attended by several notable guests, including China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.
The foreign ministers of the BRICS countries reaffirmed their commitment to solidifying the BRICS Strategic Partnership framework under the three pillars of cooperation—politics and security, finance and economy, and culture and people-to-people exchanges—in a joint statement released following the conference. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and upholding international law, including the UN’s core goals and principles.
They expressed their support for an extensive reform of the UN, encompassing the Security Council, to improve its democratic, representative, effective, and efficient functioning. The ministers praised and supported the African Union’s admission as a G20 member at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, and they underlined the G20’s significant position as the leading forum for worldwide economic cooperation.
The ministers reiterated the importance of continuity and collaboration in their G20 presidencies, expressing their best wishes for success in their endeavors. They reaffirmed that the successive G20 presidencies of India, Brazil, and South Africa in 2023–2025 have laid a robust foundation for addressing inequalities, imbalances, and shortcomings in the global economy, thereby demonstrating a strong commitment to global economic cooperation.
The ministers expressed their concern about the ongoing crises in various parts of the world. They reaffirmed their commitment to resolving disputes peacefully through coordinated, cooperative efforts, inclusive dialogue, and consultations. They also backed all initiatives that promote peaceful crisis resolution.
A thorough implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement was also recommended to all countries. According to the statement, they were against unilateral protectionist policies that intentionally disturb international supply and manufacturing chains and impede competition.
The ministers declared their support for an “open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system” in which developing nations, including the Least Developed Countries, would receive special and differential treatment (S&DT) as a fundamental WTO principle. The significance of increasing the usage of local currencies in commercial and economic transactions amongst the BRICS nations was also emphasized by the ministers.
Grave concern in Gaza
The BRICS ministers expressed grave concern about the deterioration of the Palestinian territory, particularly considering the Israeli military operation that caused a large-scale exodus of civilians, fatalities, and destruction of civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
The ministers demanded a quick, continuous ceasefire by effectively implementing UNSC resolution 2728. They also demanded the unconditional and prompt release of all hostages and citizens who are being held captive. The statement stated that they were extremely concerned about Israel’s growing attacks on Rafah. They reiterated that they were opposed to any effort to forcibly destroy, force out, or displace the Palestinian people away from their land.
They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the two-state solution, which is based on international law, including pertinent UNSC and UNGA resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. This involves the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine by internationally recognized borders of June 1967, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital, coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel. They also reiterated their backing for Palestine’s full membership in the UN.
BRICS
In September 2006, the grouping formed out of China, Brazil, Russia, and India, or BRIC countries. After South Africa was admitted as a full member in September 2010, the organization was renamed BRICS. BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, accounts for 25% of the world economy and has played a significant role in driving growth in the economy over time.
