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QUESTION NO.1202 MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BRICS

February 11, 2021

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1202
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2021

MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BRICS

1202. SHRI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether the virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers of BRICS was held recently to discuss global conflicts and other issues;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any joint statement was issued, if so, the highlights thereof; and

(d) to what extent the cooperation of BRICS was discussed in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and to get vaccinations from the member countries, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Yes. The meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Ministers of Foreign Affairs/ International Relations was held on 4th September, 2020 via videoconference. The Ministers exchanged views on major international and regional issues in the political, security, economic, trade, financial and sustainable development spheres, as well as reviewed the progress in intra-BRICS activities.

(c) Yes. A Media Statement was issued at the meeting, which is available in public domain. The highlights include:

  • Ministers emphasized their support to efforts towards making international governance more inclusive, representative and participatory.
  • Ministers reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council.
  • Ministers called for reinvigorated diplomacy, strengthened and reformed multilateral system, including the UN, the WTO, the WHO, the IMF and other international organizations.
  • Ministers expressed grave concern over major international challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ministers reiterated the pressing need to preserve jobs and income, in particular for the most vulnerable groups of society.
  • Ministers appreciated the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in infrastructure and sustainable development financing and its contribution to the efforts of BRICS States to address the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. They emphasized that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the approval of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
(d) The Ministers discussed the impact of Covid-19 pandemic in the meeting. They emphasized their grave concern over the major international challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its very serious health, social and economic impacts across the globe. They expressed their condolences for lives lost and their solidarity with the affected families, as well as their gratitude to all frontline health workers. The Ministers stressed the value of cooperation between States, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The Ministers also exchanged views and national experiences on development of COVID-19 vaccines.

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