New Delhi, May 15 -- The two-day meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers, which concluded on Friday, adopted the comprehensive Joint Statement, emphasising the bloc's determination to build stronger strategic cooperation across the three pillars of the grouping: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people interaction.
Supporting the theme chosen by India for the chairship of BRICS in 2026, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," it was emphasised by all member countries that cooperation among BRICS countries is imperative to meet global challenges today. Marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS, the grouping's foreign ministers renewed their call for comprehensive reforms of major global institutions, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organisation, to make them more representative, democratic and inclusive of developing nations.
In a joint statement, the ministers stressed the need to expand the UN Security Council by giving greater representation to countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, reiterated support for India and Brazil's aspirations for a larger role in the UN system, including permanent membership of the UNSC.
They expressed concern over rising geopolitical rivalries, armed conflicts, economic fragmentation and protectionist policies, warning that such trends disproportionately affect developing countries. They underlined that disputes must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law.
BRICS also opposed unilateral sanctions and trade barriers imposed without UN Security Council approval, saying such measures undermine global economic stability and development. The grouping called for strengthening the WTO-led multilateral trading system and restoring its full dispute settlement mechanism.
The ministers voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reiterated support for a two-state solution, backing an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also supported Palestine's membership in the UN. They also condemned terrorism in all forms, including the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, and reaffirmed commitment to combating cross-border terrorism.
Appreciating India for hosting the meeting, they expressed full support for the XVIII BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this year.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.