India’s MEA Jaishankar at BRICS says disputes and differences must be settled by dialogue, diplomacy

Asserting that addressing conflicts and tensions effectively is a “particular need of the day,” India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that disputes and differences must be settled by dialogue and diplomacy.

Giving a five point mantra for creating a “more equitable global order”, Jaishankar also called for correcting distortions in global infrastructure that are a legacy of the colonial era, which, he said, must be done with respect for territorial integrity.

He made these remarks while representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Outreach session — hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin — in Kazan, Russia, on the final day of the BRICS Summit.

“We meet in difficult circumstances. The world must be prepared to think afresh on longstanding challenges. Our gathering is a message that we are indeed prepared to do so,” Jaishankar said.

In his address, he also cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previously spoken words that “This is not an era of war.” “Addressing conflicts and tensions effectively is a particular need of the day. Prime Minister Modi has emphasised that this is not an era of war. Disputes and differences must be settled by dialogue and diplomacy. Agreements, once reached, must be scrupulously respected,” the external affairs minister said.

International law should be adhered to, without exception. There should be zero tolerance for terrorism, Jaishankar said at the BRICS Outreach session.

He also said that the “situation in West Asia is an understandable concern,” and there is widespread anxiety that conflict would spread further in the region.

Jaishankar pointed out that the BRICS forum needs to recognise that the benefits of globalisation have been “very uneven”; that the COVID pandemic and multiple conflicts have aggravated the burdens borne by the Global South, and the concerns of health, food and fuel security are particularly acute.

“How do we reconcile this contradiction? How do we create a more equitable global order?” he said and came up with five concrete suggestions.

“By correcting distortions in global infrastructure that are a legacy from the colonial era, the world urgently needs more connectivity options that enhance logistics and mitigate risks.

“This must be a collective endeavour for common good, with utmost respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

He suggested strengthening and expanding multilateral platforms of an independent nature and reiterated India’s oft taken position of reforming established institutions and mechanisms, especially the UN Security Council in the permanent and the non permanent categories, the multilateral development banks.

He also criticised that the working procedures of such institutions “are just as outdated as that of the UN.” Offering India’s digital public infrastructure and other initiatives, especially for the Global South, Jaishankar said, as a first responder, be it for natural calamities, health emergencies or economic crisis, India seeks to do its fair share.

According to state-run TASS news agency, the Outreach/BRICS Plus is an extended format, which includes more than the 10 BRICS members.

The meeting was attended by delegates from nearly 40 countries, including leaders of a number of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Asian, African, West Asian, and Latin American countries.

It also had heads of international organisations, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

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