External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet in New York on September 26. As the current chair of the BRICS coalition, EAM Jaishankar reiterated to work towards realizing the goals of multilateralism, UN reforms and constructive international engagement, in an era of extreme geopolitical turbulence and unpredictability. Meanwhile, a joint statement from the BRICS nations strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called out terrorism as “criminal and unjustifiable”.
EAM Jaishankar said that when the geopolitical order was under severe strain, when the world was highly unbalanced and titled towards few hegemonic powers, BRICS took shape as a firm voice of the emerging economies and to bring a constructive change in the globe. He also exclaimed that in an era of geopolitical volatility, BRICS must act as a strong voice and advocate dialogue, diplomacy and should indulge in peace-building process.
Dr. Jaishankar also focused on the urgent need for the reforms of the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) that will align with the geopolitical and geo-economic realities of the era. The prevailing form of UNSC defines the post-war period, i.e. the decade of 1940s and 50s, with China, Russia, France, Britain, USA as its permanent members. However, it does not have a place for India which is the 4th largest economy, set to be the third largest economy in the near future and also the largest democracy and the world’s most populous country. Thus, India has been consistently advocating the reform and revamp the UNSC to suit the present-day world order.
EAM Jaishankar also affirmed that BRICS nations, should work towards restoring the multilateral and balanced trade mechanism, in an era of spiraling tariff tussle, trade wars and protectionist or transactional measures. He also called out the BRICS nations to coordinate in the path of accelerating technology and innovation partnership that will be a defining factor in the growth prospects of 21st century.
India being the current chair of BRICS, has asserted that it will give a “new form” and purpose to the coalition. In this direction, EAM Jaishankar exclaimed that India’s chairship will keenly focus on food and energy security, climate change, digital transformation, innovation and sustainable development of the emerging economies of Global South and beyond.
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
Pahalgam attack ‘criminal and unjustifiable’: BRICS nations
On September 27, a joint statement was released by the BRICS nations condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. The statement quoted terror acts as “criminal and unjustifiable”. “condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 during which 26 people were killed and many more injured”, the statement read.
BRICS nations also resolved their commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Most importantly, the statement asserted that both terrorists and their supporters should be held accountable and brought to justice as per the national or international law. The BRICS Ministers’ also expressed “zero tolerance” to terrorism and rejected any “double standards” associated to countering terrorism.
India holds the current chair of the BRICS multilateral forum and such solid statements emanating from the BRICS partners is indeed a diplomatic victory for India in its persistent effort of countering terrorism and holding its sponsors accountable. Even, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China, in the previous month, strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the Tianjin Leaders’ Joint Declaration, marking another diplomatic victory for India, in its counter-terrorism efforts.
