New Delhi, 15 May (H.S.): Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar chaired a session of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting on Friday. The session was themed “Global Governance and Reform of the Multilateral System.” During the discussion, the Foreign Minister underscored the need for reliable and reform‑based multilateralism in an increasingly interconnected, complex and multipolar world. Jaishankar said India’s message is clear: cooperation is indispensable, dialogue is essential, and reform has long been overdue.

At the meeting held in Bharat Mandapam, Jaishankar highlighted among the BRICS foreign ministers the importance of holding written discussions on the pre‑agreed agenda towards advancing United Nations reforms. He emphasized that there is an immediate need to reform the international financial architecture, so that multilateral development banks can become more responsive, robust and capable. At the same time, greater access to development and climate finance must also be ensured.

Jaishankar once again underscored the importance of a rules‑based, fair, open and inclusive international trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core. He stated that the trading system should be resilient enough to address challenges such as non‑market practices, concentration of supply chains, and uncertain market access.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar