External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York on Friday, underscoring the grouping’s critical role in upholding multilateralism and fostering constructive international dialogue.
Speaking at the meeting, Jaishankar remarked, “When multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change.”
He called on member states to reinforce principles of peace, dialogue, diplomacy, and international law in an increasingly unstable global environment.
Hosted a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers in New York today.
Highlighted that
➡️ When multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change.
➡️ In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding,… pic.twitter.com/hbtpOTZBfb
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 26, 2025
On X, Jaishankar reiterated this message: “In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law.”
Highlighting the bloc’s long-standing demand for institutional reform, he said, “BRICS must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council.”
The minister also touched upon economic concerns, warning that “as rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system.” He added that technology and innovation will shape the next phase of BRICS cooperation.
Outlining India’s priorities as the current BRICS Chair, Jaishankar noted the focus would be on food and energy security, climate action, sustainable development, digital transformation, startups, innovation, and stronger development partnerships.
Jaishankar also hosted a meeting of the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers in New York. He posted on X: “A great meeting of the IBSA Ministers in New York this evening. IBSA made a strong call for the transformative reform of the UNSC. Discussions also on IBSA Academic Forum, maritime exercise, Trust Fund and intra-IBSA trade. IBSA will continue to meet frequently.”
Additionally, Jaishankar co-chaired the India–CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. “Delighted to co-chair the India-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting along with FM Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio of Colombia in New York this morning,” he wrote on X.
“We agreed to strengthen our existing broad-based cooperation in fields such as agriculture, trade, health, digital, HADR and capacity building. Also to explore emerging areas such as AI, technology, critical minerals, space and renewables. India & CELAC also concur on the urgent need to reform multilateral institutions to represent the Voice of the Global South better.”
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar also held bilateral discussions with several counterparts, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, and Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio.
