BRICS Must Play Stabilising Role": Jaishankar Chairs Key Meeting Amid Global flux
At today's BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on the bloc to play a "constructive and stabilising role" amid global turmoil. He highlighted challenges like economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and food and energy insecurity. Jaishankar strongly criticized unilateral coercive sanctions that are inconsistent with international law, arguing that "pressure cannot replace diplomacy." He also stressed the importance of maritime security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and the need for all BRICS members to respect consensus-based decision-making following the group's recent expansion. The meeting is part of India's 2026 BRICS Chairmanship
BRICS Must Play Stabilising Role": Jaishankar Chairs Key Meeting Amid Global "Flux"
New Delhi, May 14, 2026 – In a strong address to the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here today, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, declared that the world is currently witnessing a "considerable flux in international relations," marked by ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade and technology .
As India holds the Chairmanship of the influential bloc for 2026, Jaishankar inaugurated the two-day summit at Bharat Mandapam, urging the gathering of emerging economies to step up as a "constructive and stabilising role" on the global stage .
A Call for Economic Resilience
In his opening speech, the Minister emphasized that developing nations are struggling with multiple pressures, including energy, food, fertiliser, and health security. He asserted that BRICS has the potential to help these countries respond more effectively to these challenges .
"The essential components of economic resilience are reliable supply chains and diversified markets," Jaishankar stated, underlining the need for practical cooperation to shield economies from external shocks .
Tackling Unilateral Sanctions
In a significant diplomatic move, Dr. Jaishankar criticized the increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures. Without naming specific nations, he argued that sanctions inconsistent with international law disproportionately affect developing countries and cannot substitute for dialogue .
"We must also address the increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter," he told the delegates, emphasizing that "pressure cannot replace diplomacy" . This remark comes amid ongoing global trade disruptions and tariff disputes involving major economies.
Peace, Diplomacy, and Maritime Security
Addressing global hotspots, Jaishankar noted that recent conflicts underline the importance of dialogue. He stressed that peace and security remain central to the global order, specifically calling for stronger cooperation against terrorism .
The Minister also raised concerns about maritime security, highlighting the strategic importance of waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. He warned that instability in these regions poses a direct threat to global energy supplies and trade routes .
Institutionalising an Expanded BRICS
With the recent expansion of BRICS to include new members and partners, Jaishankar noted that India has advanced discussions on the institutional development of the grouping. He emphasized that for the smooth advancement of BRICS, it is essential that all members fully appreciate and subscribe to the bloc’s consensus on important issues .
The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting continues tomorrow with a special session titled "BRICS@20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," followed by discussions on the reform of global governance and the multilateral system .
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