As China’s President Xi Jinping in his video address at the opening session of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Thursday underlined the need for “opposing hegemonism and power politics, and respecting each other’s sovereignty”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in what was seen as a message to China, said: “BRICS has repeatedly affirmed respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and international law”. “We must live up to these commitments,” Jaishankar said. Foreign Ministers of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) at the virtual meet hosted by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi shared their views on global economic and political issues.
What Jaishankar said is also being interpreted by diplomats as a blunt counter to the Chinese President who sounded high on rhetoric on what he called “strengthening political mutual trust and security cooperation, maintaining close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues.” With Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in attendance, Jaishankar called for respecting territorial integrity in no uncertain terms. Similarly, Jaishankar urged the BRICS nations to display zero tolerance towards terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism. This was a message for China’s all-weather friend Pakistan, which is using non-state actors for a proxy war against India.
Diplomats said that this remark by Jaishankar should be seen in the context of Xi’s stress on enhancing security cooperation among the BRICS nations. China was suggested to lead from the front in terms of security cooperation that its leader was referring to, said a diplomat.
Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that Jaishankar’s statement at the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers assumes more significance amid media reports about China constructing a second bridge on Pangong Tso. As the BRICS FMs’ meeting was under
way, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday, while replying to a query during a regular press briefing, said, “We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge… We are monitoring the situation. Of course, we always felt it was occupied…Talks are on with the Chinese side.”
Sources said that at MEA and Defence Ministry officials at the high-level meetings are monitoring and analysing the activities by Chinese forces and a future course of action will be decided. “Jaishankar’s message to China should be seen against the background of fresh developments as well,” sources said.
In his address, Xi said, “BRICS countries need to strengthen political mutual trust and security cooperation, maintain close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, respect each other’s sovereignty, security and development interests, oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, and work together to build a global community of security for all.”
Jaishankar used the opportunity provided by the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting held virtually to give a message to Pakistan and China on the issues that India faces from their sides. The EAM stressing the need for BRICS nations to live up to the commitments on respecting territorial integrity, sovereignty and international law of other countries was also a message for Russia over its military operations against Ukraine. Sources said the EAM also highlighted humanitarian concern apart from calling for a halt to hostilities in Ukraine. He stressed on the need for Russia and Ukraine to resolve the problems through dialogue.
Jaishankar highlighted eight key points, and added that the member nations must not only seek socio-economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but also create resilient supply chains. In a reference to Ukraine, Jaishankar said that the sharp rise in costs must be mitigated for the sake of the developing world. “Knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict led to a sharp rise in energy, food costs; it must be mitigated for the sake of the developing world,” Jaishankar added. He said, “BRICS should unanimously and specifically support UN Security Council reform.” Jaishankar also spoke about pressing for credible commitment of resources by developed nations for climate action and climate justice. A globalised and digitised world will give due regard to trust and transparency, he said, adding sustainable development goals must be approached in a comprehensive manner.
The MEA statement said, “BRICS FMs discussed the situation in Ukraine and supported talks between Russia and Ukraine. The ministers also expressed strong condemnation of terrorism whenever, wherever, and by whom-so-ever, and also expressed commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists.”