New Delhi, 23 June (H.S.): National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday said at the BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting that India welcomes the understanding reached between the United States and Iran. He said the opening of the Strait of Hormuz would strengthen energy security, reduce supply chain disruptions, and improve the availability of fertilisers, chemicals, and other essential commodities. It would also promote regional and global economic prosperity.

Addressing the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting, Doval underscored the critical role of BRICS in addressing the growing global challenges. He said the world is currently facing complex issues, including military conflicts, geopolitical uncertainties, economic pressures, and disruptive technologies. He noted that traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution are becoming increasingly ineffective, making the role of BRICS more significant than ever.

The NSA said multilateralism is weakening. He recalled that BRICS was conceived as an informal grouping of emerging economies to promote a more multipolar world order. In this period of turbulence and rapid change, where traditional methods of resolving disputes appear to be losing their effectiveness, we have a very special role to play. It is essential for us to reflect on what role we can collectively perform as a group, he said.

Doval observed that non-traditional security threats, including cyber threats, evolving forms of terrorism, and disruptive technologies, have transcended national borders. He stressed that these challenges require collective efforts and innovative approaches to address them effectively.

He further said BRICS was established as a platform for emerging economies with the objective of promoting a more multipolar global order, strengthening economic cooperation, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. According to Doval, BRICS is a unique grouping of nations committed to peace, progress, development, and cooperation, and it continues to grow stronger.

Highlighting the significance of the grouping, Doval said the BRICS nations together account for more than 4.1 billion people, representing nearly 49 per cent of the world's population. Collectively, the bloc contributes approximately US$31.5 trillion to the global economy.

The meeting will also deliberate on the progress and recommendations of the BRICS Joint Working Groups on counter-terrorism cooperation and the secure use of information and communication technologies.

Earlier, Ajit Doval welcomed the representatives of BRICS member and partner countries to the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting. Among the distinguished participants were Sergei Shoigu (Russia), Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi (United Arab Emirates), Alaa Youssef (Egypt), Yayat Ruyat (Indonesia), Ghadir Nezamipour (Iran), Million Lema Tadesse (Ethiopia), Carlos Marcio Bicalho Cozendey (Brazil), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (South Africa), and Wang Yi (China).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar