Overview

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened BRICS foreign ministers in New York on the margins of UNGA80, bringing together the expanded membership.
• A joint statement extended full support for India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026 and for hosting the XVIII BRICS Summit in India.
• Ministers condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and reaffirmed commitments to combat cross-border movement, financing and safe havens for terrorism.
• The bloc renewed its call for comprehensive United Nations reform, especially of the Security Council, with China and Russia reiterating support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role.
• Expressing concern over rising tariffs and non-tariff barriers, the ministers defended a WTO-centered multilateral trading system as Jaishankar outlined 2026 priorities on food and energy security, climate action and digital-led development.