As the world is facing the after affects of the corona pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said, "We must not only seek socio-economic recovery from the Covid pandemic but also create resilient and reliable supply chains."
He also said the knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict have led to sharp increases in the costs of energy, food and commodities. This must be mitigated for the sake of the developing world, he stressed.
Putting across these points from the country’s point of view in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa(BRICS)foreign ministers’ meet hosted by China, he also said the grouping has repeatedly affirmed respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and international law. The meet took place in the backdrop of the Russian military action in Ukraine. “We must live up to these commitments and BRICS should unanimously and specifically support UN Security Council reform,” he tweeted.
The minister also stressed that BRICS must display zero tolerance for terrorism, especially cross border terrorism. It was in obvious reference to Pakistan supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Touching upon the environment issue, Jaishankar said the BRICS should press for credible commitment of resources by developed nations for climate action and climate justice.
He also said a globalized and digitized world will give due regard to trust and transparency and Sustainable Development Goals must be approached in a comprehensive manner.
Issues including propelling economic recovery post Corona pandemic and development figured prominently during the foreign ministers summit.
Besides Jaishankar, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the meeting chaired by China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Yi had visited India in late March and held bilateral dialogue with Jaishankar on the persisting stand-offs for the last two years at the Line of Actual Control(LAC)in Eastern Ladakh. It was the first visit by a Chinese minister to India since the face-offs erupted at the border.
Giving details of the BRICS conclave, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had said in Beijing on Wednesday, the minister will have a "BRICS+" dialogue with their counterparts from emerging markets and developing countries. China holds the chair of the BRICS this year.
About China's expectations of the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting,
Wenbin said the meeting will send a “clear message” of unity and make preparations for the annual summit of the five-member bloc.