At the September 8, 2025, virtual BRICS Leaders conference, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gave a thorough and forceful speech outlining the numerous significant global issues that the world is currently facing.
He cautioned that the global order itself may suffer as a result of the multilateral system’s apparent inability to adequately handle these stressors, which includes important international organizations.
The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East/West Asia, volatility in trade and investment flows, an increase in extreme climate events, and a discernible slowdown in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda are just a few of the recent global crises that Jaishankar brought to light.
These mounting pressures highlight the necessity of immediate, well-coordinated global response, as the BRICS countries are debating.
Regarding international trade and economics, Jaishankar emphasized the value of positive, collaborative strategies that support sustainable trade. He emphasized that trade measures shouldn’t be connected to non-trade issues and that raising trade barriers and making transactions more difficult will only harm the world economy.
Jaishankar emphasized that India has been aggressively advocating for quick fixes to rectify the substantial trade deficits it has with several BRICS nations. He called on the BRICS nations to assess and enhance their trade flows with one another in order to lead by example.
He emphasized the need to maintain the open, equitable, transparent, nondiscriminatory, inclusive, and rules-based nature of the global trading system, with developing nations receiving particular treatment (also known as “Special and Differential Treatment”).
Jaishankar emphasized how important it is to create dependable, decentralized supply chains in order to increase economic resilience. In order to endure the numerous disruptions that have occurred in recent years, he promoted the creation of supply chains that are robust, dependable, redundant, and shorter.
He drew attention to the declining security of food, energy, and fertilizer in the Global South and emphasized how attacks on shipping channels harm livelihoods in addition to trade. He expressed hope for an early conclusion to international hostilities through diplomacy for enduring peace and said that selective protectionism cannot be the solution.
Regarding global governance, Jaishankar voiced grave worries about deadlocks that have prevented important international forums from reaching a consensus. He emphasized how urgently international organizations, particularly the UN and its Security Council, need to undergo change.
According to him, the BRICS countries have adopted a pro-reformed multilateralism attitude in order to more effectively and quickly handle global issues.
In reference to climate change, Jaishankar bemoaned the fact that, despite their vital significance, climate justice and climate action are falling behind other global objectives.
He praised India-led platforms like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Global Bio-fuels Alliance as constructive moves towards tackling climate concerns and urged fresh ideas and activities in this area.
In light of the mounting pressures facing the globe today, Jaishankar’s speech to the BRICS Leaders conference was a thorough call for increased collaboration, immediate reforms, equitable and sustainable trade policies, robust economic systems, conflict resolution, and redoubled efforts to combat climate change.
His remarks highlighted India’s aggressive efforts to use the BRICS platform to create a more effective and balanced multilateral system.
