NSA Ajit Doval attends BRICS NSAs virtual meet under the chairmanship of Russia

The National Security Advisors (NSAs) of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, collectively known as BRICS nations, held a virtual meeting today. The meeting holds significance for India in the wake of rising tensions and multiple face-offs on the border with China in recent times.

New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday attended the 10th annual meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) National Security Advisors.

The meeting comes when India and China are locked in bitter ties over the border standoff along the Line of Actual Control. China’s state councillor Yang Jiechi also attended the meeting. Other BRICS members were also present during the meeting.

Jiechi is also the politburo member of the Communist Party of China.

The meeting was chaired by Russia, the current presidency of BRICS. The meeting was stated to be in person, however, due to the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 pandemic, it was held via video conferencing. Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar had urged full support of BRICS in reforming the United Nations Security Council as an exercise in collective faith in meaningful multilateralism.

The meeting revolved around the discussion pertaining to challenges and threats to global, regional and national security. However, some of the major key takeaways of the meeting include- Draft BRICS anti-terrorism strategy prepared for approval at the upcoming summit, emphasis on Biological security cooperation, Security of ICT and the need to create common approaches, proposal to continue work on a complex system of countering security threats in the sphere of information among others.

The participants also expressed concern over the escalation of tension around Iran, Venezuela, Syria.

According to sources, Russia is leaving no stone unturned to bring the heat down between both its strategic partners — India and China at the Himalayan border even as the neighbours ramp up measures to maintain a heavy troop deployment in the frigid region through the upcoming winter.

Later, Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India took to Twitter and said, “On Sept 17, the Russian Chairmanship held the 10th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors . Challenges and threats to global, regional and national security were discussed”.

However, more details are awaited regarding the meeting and all eyes are on the likely talk between Doval and Jiechi about the border skirmish between the two nations on the sidelines.