BRICS meet: Talks focus on Covid-19 pandemic, access to vaccines

The BRICS group of countries seeks an equitable multipolar international system that identifies the sovereign equality of all states and respects their territorial integrity, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while addressing a virtual meeting on Monday which consisted of Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

During the meeting, Jaishankar along with the counterparts from the four countries focused the talks on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the accessibility to vaccines.

Jaishankar’s statements were a part of his welcome address at the Brazil – Russia – India – China – South Africa (BRICS) grouping with the respective foreign ministers, and also against the backdrop of military stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Presently, India is the current chair of BRICS, and the meeting of the foreign ministers curated the stage for the summit.

Jaishanar marking the starting journey of BRICS in 2006, commented, “But the principles that guide our grouping remain consistent over the years. We strive for a fair, just, inclusive, equitable and representative multi-polar international system.”

He further added, “It is one based on international law and the UN Charter, that recognises the sovereign equality of all states, and respects their territorial integrity while displaying mutual respect for interests and concerns of all. It is only by conducting our policies in accordance with these principles that we can expect to bring about the change we desire.”

BRICS has further progressed into a unique model of engagement according to consensus and its collective endeavor is to assure that global decision-making contemporary realities, said Jaishankar.

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