New Delhi: We strive for a fair, just, inclusive, equitable and representative multipolar international system, said India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar as he chaired the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting on Tuesday.
The theme for BRICS meet under India’s chairmanship is “BRICS @ 15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus."
Addressing the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said, "BRICS continues to provide the larger context in which we assess the world and our policies. This is a time to reflect on its many implications".
"We strive for a fair, just, inclusive, equitable and representative multipolar international system. It is one based on international law and the UN Charter, that recognizes the sovereign equality of all States, and respects their territorial integrity while displaying mutual respect for the interests and concerns of all", he stated.
"It is only by conducting our policies by these principles that we can expect to bring about the change we desire", he added.
He also went on to express his condolences for the lives lost due to this pandemic in all your countries.
Reiterating that India has assumed the Chairship of the BRICS on its 15th anniversary, Jaishankar added, "We have come a long way from the first time our Foreign Ministers met in New York in 2006. But the principles that guide our grouping remain consistent over the years".
Over the years, BRICS has evolved its unique model of engagement that is based on consensus.
He said that BRICS collective endeavour is also to ensure that global decision-making reflects contemporary realities.
To this end, we have identified four key deliverables for our Chairship - Reform of the Multilateral System, Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Using Digital and Technological Solutions to achieve SDGs and Enhancing People to People Cooperation, he further underlined.
"I am very happy to note that we have made substantial progress on each of these areas in the past five months with the continued cooperation and support of our partners", Jaishankar said during the meeting.
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The high-level meeting saw the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.
During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the need for strengthening and reforming the Multilateral System to enhance its capacity to effectively address the diverse challenges of the present time and to adapt them to contemporary realities, on global and regional issues of concern, sustainable development, Countering Terrorism besides discussing ways to enhance intra-BRICS cooperation, especially people-to-people cooperation.
South African Foreign Minister highlighted that Africa & India have submitted a proposal to WTO for a temporary waiver of certain aspects of TRIPS to facilitate wider access, to technologies needed to produce vaccines & treatments so poorer countries with capacity could produce.
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Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his concern regarding the pandemic situation in India and said that China will continue to stand in solidarity with India and all BRICS nations.
"I express my sympathy to India for the severe impact of the second wave of COVID-19. At this trying time, China stands in solidarity with India and all BRICS countries", Wang said.
As long it is needed by India, all BRICS partners including China will provide further support and assistance at any time and we are sure that India will certainly overcome the pandemic, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi added.
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On a similar line, the Russian foreign minister reaffirmed that Russia is committed to helping Indian friends in fighting this dangerous virus.
