The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries discussed the COVID pandemic, the situation in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism on Thursday as India chaired the 13th Summit via video conference.
Speaking at the Summit, PM Modi today thanked all the partnering nations saying that India has received full cooperation from all members during its chairship of BRICS.
Brazil President Jair Bolsanaro, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the virtual meeting. The theme for the Summit is ‘BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus’
This is the second time PM Modi has chaired the BRICS Summit. Earlier, he had chaired the Goa Summit in 2016. The Indian Chairship of BRICS this year coincides with the 15th anniversary of BRICS, as reflected in the theme for the summit”.
What PM Modi said at the BRICS Summit
Addressing the BRICS Summit, PM Narendra Modi today said that India has received full cooperation from all members during its chairship of BRICS and also thanked the partnering countries for this.
PM Modi emphasises that the partner countries will have to ensure that BRICS yields more results in 15 years. He said the theme that has been chosen by India for its chairmanship reflects this priority.
“The theme selected by India for the duration of its chairship is ‘BRICS @ 15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus’. These 4 Cs are basic principles of our BRICS partnership,” he said.
“Despite the COVID situation this year, over 150 BRICS meetings and events were organised. Of these, over 20 were ministerial-level. We tried to expand the BRICS agenda. BRICS achieved many firsts this year…Our Water Resources Ministers will meet in BRICS format for the first time in November,” the Prime Minister added.
South African Prez appeals for equal access to vaccines
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa today appealed to the BRIC countries to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. “This is the only way in which we can respond to this pandemic that engulfs the world,” he said.
President Ramaphosa also urged the BRIC partners to enhance the resilience of public systems amid the COVID pandemic.
“Our collected response to COVID19 has demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together. As BRICS countries we must continue to safeguard our people’s lives, livelihoods, support global economic recovery and enhance the resilience of public systems,” he said.
Maintained momentum of BRICS cooperation: Xi Jinping
Speaking at the BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said over the past 15 years, the five BRICS nations have enhanced strategic communication and political trust in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and equality, respected each other’s social system, development and explored a sound way for nations to interact with each other.
“Since the start of this year, our five countries have maintained the momentum of BRICS cooperation and secured new progress in many areas. As long as we pool our minds and efforts, we can make smooth, solid progress in BRICS cooperation, come what may,” he added.
Putin expresses concern over Taliban taking over Afghanistan
Talking about the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the withdrawal of US forces and its allies from the country has led to a new crisis, and it’s still unclear how this will affect global and regional security. “It is for good reason that our countries have paid special attention to this issue,” he added.
Afghanistan should not become a threat to its neighbouring countries, a source of terrorism and drug trafficking, he warned.
In the end, PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping posed for a group photo at the 13th BRICS Summit.
BRICS adopts counter-terrorism action plan
While chairing the virtual summit of the five-nation grouping, PM Modi today announced that the BRICS has adopted a counter-terrorism action plan.
The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade.
