BRICS In Delhi: India Puts Global South At The Table, Not On The Menu

The two-day BRICS huddle in New Delhi marks the first major ministerial gathering under India’s current chairship of the expanded bloc and lays groundwork for the leaders’ summit in September. Delegations will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and deliberate on how BRICS can act as a stabilising force amid multiple global crises.

Delegations And Chairship

The meeting is chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with foreign ministers and heads of delegation from BRICS members and partner countries, including Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, Brazil’s Mauro Vieira, South Africa’s Ronald Lamola, Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the UAE and China.

China is represented through its ambassador in New Delhi as Foreign Minister Wang Yi remains engaged domestically, but Beijing’s Sherpa team is fully plugged into the negotiations.

From Global South To Global Governance

Under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” ministers are exchanging views on global and regional issues, with a sharp focus on the Ukraine conflict, the war in West Asia, supply-chain disruptions and energy price shocks.

A dedicated session on “BRICS@20” and another on “Reforms of Global Governance and Multilateral System” aim to push for a stronger voice for the Global South in institutions like the UN, IMF and World Bank.

Jaishankar’s Call For Stability

Opening the meet, Jaishankar framed BRICS as a platform that must “be a stabilising force” and give emerging economies a forum to articulate concerns on food, fuel and fertiliser security.

India is positioning its chairship as people-centric and “Humanity First,” pitching practical cooperation in trade, connectivity, digital public infrastructure and climate finance alongside high politics.

Difficult Talks On Iran War And Oil

The discussions are not friction-free: the bloc is grappling with divisions over the war on Iran, rising crude prices and how strongly to word any joint statement.

Some members want sharper language on unilateral sanctions and use of force, while others are wary of appearing overtly aligned in one direction, making consensus-building a central test of India’s chairmanship.

BRICS Delhi Meet Highlights

• India hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Bharat Mandapam on May 14–15 under its 2026 chairship
• Jaishankar chairs sessions on resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability and reforms of global governance
• Leaders discuss wars in Ukraine and West Asia, energy insecurity and Global South priorities
• Delegations call on PM Modi as talks set tone for the September 2026 BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi

Sources:  ABP Live, Deccan Herald