BRICS countries need to consider practical ways to strengthen cooperation amid the ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade, technology, and climate, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.
Highlighting that development issues remained a central concern, the Minister noted that
BRICS could help countries to face challenges on energy, food, fertilizer and health security, as also access to finance.
“We meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations. Ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade, technology, and climate are shaping the global landscape,” Jaishankar said in his welcome remarks at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Thursday.
The meeting, hosted by India on May 14-15, is especially significant because of the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s attendance is also being watched with interest.
There is a growing expectation, particularly from emerging markets and developing countries, that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising role, Jaishankar said.
Published on May 14, 2026