BRICS Outreach meet: Jaishankar calls for equitable global order and conflict resolution
- In Reports
- 10:45 PM, Oct 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant address representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Outreach segment, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the need for a more equitable global order, stressing the challenges of inequality and the impact of global conflicts on the Global South. He began by expressing gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the hospitality extended to the BRICS leaders and conveyed the greetings of PM Modi.
Jaishankar highlighted the paradox of progress, where global development has advanced, but longstanding inequities persist. He pointed to the diversification of production and consumption, accelerated development of formerly colonised nations, and the rise of multipolarity. “The BRICS itself is a statement of how profoundly the old order is changing,” he noted.
However, he cautioned that while these shifts occur, inequities have taken new forms, exacerbated by the uneven benefits of globalisation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and various conflicts. He remarked, “Concerns of health, food, and fuel security are particularly acute. The Summit of the Future underlined that the world is in real danger of falling significantly behind in realizing SDG targets.”
To address the global challenges, Jaishankar outlined five key approaches. First, he emphasised the importance of strengthening independent platforms like BRICS to provide more choices for the Global South and reduce reliance on platforms that can be leveraged. Second, he called for reforming established institutions, including the UN Security Council and multilateral development banks, highlighting that India had initiated efforts during its G20 Presidency and expressing support for Brazil's continuation of this initiative. Third, he stressed the need to democratise the global economy by creating more regional production hubs, a priority underscored by the supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic. Fourth, he advocated for correcting distortions in global infrastructure by enhancing connectivity options that respect territorial integrity and sovereignty. Finally, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and new initiatives, such as India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, the International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which he described as "initiatives of common interest."
On the issue of global conflicts, Jaishankar reiterated PM Modi’s stance that “this is not an era of war” and emphasised the need for settling disputes through “dialogue and diplomacy.” He further stressed that international law must be respected, and terrorism should be met with “zero tolerance.”
Addressing the escalating situation in the Middle East, Jaishankar acknowledged widespread concerns about the conflict spreading further and maritime trade being affected. He stressed that any resolution must be “fair and durable, leading to a two-state solution.”
Jaishankar concluded by calling on world leaders to “think afresh on longstanding challenges,” stating that the BRICS summit was a testament to their readiness to tackle these issues.
This speech emphasised India's leadership role in advocating for a fairer world order and its commitment to being a responsible global actor amid growing geopolitical tensions.
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