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Russia takes over the year-long presidency of BRICS on January 1, 2024.
Moscow:
India on Monday warmly welcomed the joining of BRICS by Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia as their representatives attended a key meeting of the group hosted by Russia for the first time.
Senior diplomat Dammu Ravi led the Indian delegation to the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, western Russia.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “An important meeting in the shape of the extended BRICS family. India wholeheartedly welcomes the new membership.”
Monday’s meeting was the first ministerial meeting since BRICS’ expansion in 2023 when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as full BRICS members. What was added?
Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA Damu Ravi led the Indian delegation to the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.
Normally the foreign minister attends such meetings. Since S Jaishankar was reappointed as the foreign minister on Monday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, he could not travel to Russia to attend the meeting.
The joint statement issued after the meeting said that the BRICS foreign ministers expressed their commitment to strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership framework under the three pillars of cooperation: politics and security, economy and finance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Repeated
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and to upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations as its indispensable foundation, and the central role of the United Nations in an international system in which sovereign states Cooperate. To maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, ensure the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
He expressed his support for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including to make its Security Council more democratic, representative, efficient and effective.
The Ministers reaffirmed the important role of the G20 as the main forum for international economic cooperation and welcomed and supported the inclusion of the African Union as a member of the G20 at the G20 New Delhi Summit.
The Ministers reiterated that the successive G20 Presidencies of India, Brazil and South Africa in 2023-2025 laid a solid foundation for addressing inequalities, imbalances and shortfalls in the global economy. Expressed support for the collaboration and wished them success. in their efforts.
Expressing their concern over the ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to a coordinated and cooperative peaceful resolution of conflicts through diplomacy, comprehensive dialogue and consultation, and to the peaceful resolution of crises. Support all favorable efforts.
The Ministers recalled their national position on the situation in and around Ukraine as expressed in appropriate forums, including the United Nations Security Council, and appreciated the relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at dialogue and Peaceful resolution of conflict through diplomacy. said.
The BRICS ministers expressed “deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation, which has led to mass displacement of civilians, There was death and casualties, and the destruction of urban infrastructure,” he said.
The Ministers called for the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 for an immediate, durable and sustainable ceasefire. They equally demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and civilians who have been illegally detained. The statement said he expressed deep concern over Israel’s escalating attacks on Rafah.
They reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt to forcefully displace, evict or relocate the Palestinian people from their land.
He reiterated his support for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations and his unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution based on international law, including relevant UNSC and UNGA resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. which includes the establishment of a sovereign, sovereign. And the viable state of Palestine coexists in peace and security with Israel as its capital, in accordance with the internationally recognized borders of June 1967.
The ministers stressed the need for an urgent peaceful solution in Afghanistan to strengthen regional security and stability.
He strongly condemned any act of terrorism as “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motives, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed” and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including Reiterated its commitment to counter terrorism and cross-border terrorism. Financing and safe havens.
“He reiterated that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, culture or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support should be held accountable and inter alia,” the statement said. should be brought to justice in accordance with international law.” That the ministers stressed on ensuring “zero tolerance for terrorism” and rejected double standards in combating terrorism.
The Ministers comprehensively developed mechanisms to counter the growing use of emerging technologies such as the Internet and other information and communication technologies, including social media platforms, by terrorists and their supporters for terrorist purposes in the international community. expressed the need to strengthen
They also called on all parties to fully implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, the statement said.
They opposed unilateral protectionist measures, which deliberately disrupt global supply and production chains and distort competition, the statement said.
The ministers expressed their support for an “open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system” with the World Trade Organization, with special and discriminatory treatment (S&DT) for developing countries. . The least developed countries are included as a key fundamental principle of the WTO.
The ministers also emphasized the importance of better use of local currencies in trade and financial transactions among BRICS countries.
Russia takes over the year-long presidency of BRICS on January 1, 2024.
Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Russia’s presidency includes more than 250 different events, with the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024 as the centerpiece.
(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
