India on Friday called for an urgent overhaul of global governance institutions while issuing a Chair’s Statement instead of a joint declaration at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, citing differing views among member nations on the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Addressing a session on institutional reforms, India said the current multilateral system no longer reflects present-day geopolitical realities and stressed that reform was “not a matter of choice, but of necessity.” India highlighted that institutions created in an earlier era are struggling to respond effectively to modern global challenges.
At the centre of India’s intervention was a renewed demand for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India argued that the UN’s decision-making structures remain outdated despite expanding global responsibilities, and called for greater representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America through the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats.
India also urged reforms in global financial and trade institutions, pointing to vulnerabilities faced by developing nations due to fragile supply chains, energy insecurity and financing challenges. It advocated strengthening multilateral development banks and ensuring a more inclusive, rules-based global trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.
The BRICS meeting, however, concluded without a joint statement due to differences among member countries over the situation in West Asia and the Middle East. In the Chair’s Statement issued by India, BRICS members acknowledged their differing national positions while emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure.
The statement underlined the importance of maintaining safe and unimpeded maritime commerce through international waterways and noted concerns over the global economic impact of the ongoing conflict.
The ministers strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated the need for zero tolerance toward terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, terror financing and safe havens. They also condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April last year.
The ministers reaffirmed their support for strengthening cooperation through the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and called for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the United Nations framework.
On the humanitarian front, the BRICS nations expressed concern over declining international responses to humanitarian crises worldwide and condemned attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel. The ministers also stressed accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
The Chair’s Statement reaffirmed that the Gaza Strip remains an inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent state. It also emphasized the importance of unifying the West Bank and Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority. However, the document acknowledged that one member country held reservations regarding aspects of the Gaza-related language.
Speaking at a special media briefing, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sudhakar Dalela said BRICS members had managed to find common ground on most issues despite differences over West Asia.
Dalela said the outcome document reflected broad consensus on issues including global governance reform, terrorism, climate change, agriculture, health and human-centric artificial intelligence. He added that BRICS members had reiterated support for diplomacy, peaceful conflict resolution and a rules-based international order.
The ministers also stressed that security among nations is indivisible and called for greater use of preventive diplomacy, mediation and dialogue to resolve international disputes. They encouraged regional organizations to play a larger role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
The BRICS grouping currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. India, which chairs the grouping in 2026, said preparations are underway for the upcoming BRICS Summit later this year.
(With agency inputs)
