India on Tuesday sharpened its response to both China and Pakistan over reports claiming that Beijing extended support to Islamabad during Operation Sindoor. At the same time, New Delhi also shifted focus towards major global diplomacy as it prepares to host the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting later this week.

Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to reports suggesting China had provided operational or strategic support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched by India after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year that killed several civilians.

“We have seen reports that corroborate what was known earlier,” Jaiswal said during the briefing.

India maintained that Operation Sindoor was a targeted counter-terror operation aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure operating from Pakistani territory. Reiterating New Delhi’s position, Jaiswal said, “Operation Sindoor was a precise, targeted, and calibrated response to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam aimed at destroying state-sponsored terrorist infrastructure operating out of Pakistan and at its behest.”

He further added, “It is for nations that consider themselves responsible to reflect whether supporting attempts to protect terrorist infrastructure affects their reputation and standing.”

The remarks marked one of India’s strongest public responses so far regarding reports of Chinese backing for Pakistan during the conflict. Although the MEA did not directly accuse China of military involvement, the statement reflected growing concern in New Delhi over Beijing’s continued strategic alignment with Islamabad even during India’s counter-terror operations.

India has consistently maintained that Operation Sindoor was “measured” and “non-escalatory.” According to the government, the strikes were specifically directed at terror camps and infrastructure linked to groups operating from Pakistan.

Alongside the strong remarks on regional security, the Ministry of External Affairs also highlighted preparations for the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which will take place in New Delhi as India continues its BRICS chairship for 2026.

Addressing the media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the high-level nature of the meeting and said, “the meeting will be chaired by EAM S Jaishankar.” He also stated, “BRICS foreign ministers and heads of delegations from member and partner countries will participate in the meeting. They will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

India earlier launched the official logo and website for BRICS 2026 under the leadership of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The chairship is being guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

The theme strongly reflects India’s “Humanity First” and “People-Centric” approach that Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted during the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

This will be the fourth time India hosts the BRICS Summit. The upcoming Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to play a major role in setting the agenda for the leaders’ summit later this year.

Jaiswal said the summit would provide a crucial platform where “the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries will exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.”

The two-day meeting has been structured around both the future and the evolving role of BRICS in global affairs. According to the MEA spokesperson, “BRICS member and partner countries will participate in a session themed ‘BRICS at 20, Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.”

The discussions are also expected to focus on reforming global institutions and strengthening multilateral systems. Jaiswal noted that “this will be followed by a session on the reforms of global governance and the multilateral system.”

The meeting also follows earlier diplomatic discussions among BRICS nations. As Jaiswal pointed out, “the BRICS foreign ministers held their last meeting on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 26 September 2025.”

Highlighting India’s leadership role, he added, “the meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming chair for BRICS 2026.”

New Delhi has already begun receiving visiting dignitaries ahead of the summit. Responding to a query from ANI regarding participation, Jaiswal said, “Several foreign ministers from BRICS countries will be participating.” He also added, “Some of them will be arriving this afternoon.”

The meetings are scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. According to the programme released by the MEA, visiting delegations are expected to arrive at the venue at 10 am on Thursday. The “first session of the meeting will begin at 10.30 am at the same venue.”

The foreign ministers will later visit Seva Teerth at 1 pm for a “Joint Call on the Prime Minister.” The second session of the meeting will begin at 3.10 pm at Bharat Mandapam.

The first day’s proceedings will conclude with a dinner hosted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 7 pm. The “third session of the meeting will commence at 10 am on Friday, May 15”.

The Ministry of External Affairs also announced that the proceedings would be accessible to the public. According to the MEA, “opening remarks from all sessions would be made available on its YouTube channel and on DD News.” It further stated that “photographs from the meetings would be uploaded on the MEA Flickr account.”

Jaiswal recalled that on May 7, India had already announced plans to host “several meetings, including the Foreign Ministers' meeting” as part of its BRICS chairship responsibilities.

When asked earlier about participation details, Jaiswal had said, “As far as the confirmation and dates are concerned, we shall be giving you an update on both these aspects at the appropriate time.” He had also added that the ministry would provide “an update in this regard as to the participation, who the leaders are, countries participating, or will be participating in these meetings.”

The summit comes at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and growing global focus on the role of BRICS. It also highlights increasing engagement between India and countries such as Iran and Russia. Moscow has already confirmed that “Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will travel to India on May 14-15 for the meeting.”

The expanded BRICS grouping now includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. All member nations are participating under India’s 2026 theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Hosting the 18th BRICS Summit places India in an important diplomatic position as it attempts to balance relations between the Global South and Western nations. With the grouping expanding rapidly, New Delhi will also face the challenge of building consensus among a larger and more politically diverse alliance.