Speaking at the BRICS virtual summit hosted by Brazil’s President Lula, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the world urgently needs a stable and predictable environment for trade and investment, underpinned by fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. He cautioned against raising trade barriers, complicating transactions, or linking trade measures to non-trade issues, arguing they would harm global economic cooperation. 

Jaishankar reiterated India's support for a rules-based international trading system, providing special and differential treatment for developing nations, to support equitable growth and counter rising economic fragmentation. His remarks underscore a shared BRICS vision: strengthening economic solidarity, reducing vulnerabilities, and reinforcing multilateral trade structures amid global protectionist pressures.

In a geopolitically volatile era with setbacks like pandemic disruptions, mounting conflicts, and climate crises Jaishankar’s appeal positions BRICS as a potential anchor for inclusive, negotiated, and mutually beneficial economic engagement.