NEW DELHI: Highlighting the Ukraine crisis, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar called for United Nations Security Council reforms at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet on Thursday.
“BRICS has repeatedly affirmed respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and international law. We must live up to these commitments. The knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict have led to sharp increases in the costs of energy, food and commodities. This must be mitigated for the sake of the developing world,” Dr Jaishankar said.
The Foreign Ministers’ meeting was convened virtually by Wang Yi, China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister. The meeting was attended by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Alberto Franco França and Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
BRICS is a five-nation forum that consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Urging for the reforms of the UN Security Council, Dr Jaishankar said, “BRICS should unanimously and specifically support UN Security Council reform. Together, we should press for a credible commitment of resources by developed nations for climate action and climate justice.”
Dr Jaishankar also called for zero tolerance for cross border terrorism. “BRICS must display zero tolerance for terrorism, especially cross border terrorism,” he said.
“A globalized and digitized world will give due regard to trust and transparency. Sustainable Development Goals must be approached in a comprehensive manner,” Dr Jaishankar said in a tweet after the meeting.