External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said that discussions on strengthening the institutional structure of BRICS have moved forward, stressing that such reforms are important for the smooth growth and functioning of the grouping. Speaking at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Jaishankar highlighted the need for stronger coordination as the bloc continues to expand and include new members.

He said India, which currently holds the BRICS Chairmanship, has been actively working towards building a more inclusive and cooperative framework through regular engagement with partner nations. According to him, discussions have progressed on how new members can be integrated into the grouping while also reviewing and updating the existing mechanisms to improve coordination among all participating countries.

“Promoting a more inclusive and collaborative BRICS framework, we, as the Chair, have been engaging with Partner countries as well. We have also taken forward discussions on institutional development, including the integration of new members through a stocktake and updation of existing mechanisms. It is essential for the smooth advancement of BRICS that later members fully appreciate and subscribe to BRICS’ consensus on various important issues,” Jaishankar said.

The minister stated that India has remained in regular contact with member nations and partner countries through both bilateral and multilateral engagements. He added that the current BRICS meeting is taking place at a time when the global environment remains uncertain and challenging, making cooperation among nations even more important.

“As Chair, I thank each delegation for the presence and continued commitment to strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework. All of us remain in close and regular contact through bilateral and multilateral engagements. Getting together today for the BRICS meeting is, however, a special occasion. This allows us to exchange perspectives and encourages us to develop convergences, and in this complex and uncertain world, this is of ever greater importance,” he added.

Jaishankar noted that India’s chairship has already helped organise more than 80 BRICS meetings with participation from all member states. He said these meetings have contributed to stronger cooperation across different sectors and have helped improve coordination within the grouping. He also underlined that consensus remains one of the core principles of BRICS and said newer members joining the bloc must understand and support the shared positions and values of the grouping.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being held from May 14 to 15 as part of broader consultations among member countries. The discussions are focused on improving coordination on global economic governance, development priorities, and key geopolitical challenges affecting the international community. The meeting is also expected to help shape future cooperation within the bloc as BRICS continues to expand its global influence.

India officially assumed the BRICS Chairmanship from Brazil on January 1 this year. This is the fourth time India has taken over the presidency of the grouping. Earlier, India hosted BRICS summits in 2012, 2016, and 2021. Under its current leadership, India is focusing on strengthening internal coordination, improving institutional mechanisms, and ensuring smooth integration of new members into the organisation.

BRICS, which originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has seen growing interest from several countries seeking closer engagement with the bloc. As the grouping expands, discussions around institutional reforms and better coordination have become increasingly important. Jaishankar’s remarks reflected India’s effort to ensure that BRICS remains united and effective while adapting to its changing structure and growing responsibilities on the global stage.