New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday welcomed foreign ministers and representatives from BRICS member and observer nations to Bharat Mandapam in the national capital ahead of the much-anticipated BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Jaishankar first received Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, who is representing China in place of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is currently in Beijing during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the country.
Jaishankar also welcomed his counterparts from Indonesia, Foreign Minister Sugiono; South Africa, Ronald Lamola; and Ethiopia, Gedion Timothewos Hessebon.
The external affairs minister also welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to the venue for the meeting. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar was also received by Jaishankar.
The meeting is part of India’s ongoing engagement with the BRICS grouping, which brings together emerging economies to discuss key global and regional issues, including economic cooperation, multilateral reforms, trade, and development challenges.
New Delhi is set to become a focal point of international diplomacy from May 14 to 15 as it hosts the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The gathering serves as a cornerstone of India’s 2026 chairship, highlighting its leadership within the expanded multilateral alliance.
India officially assumed the BRICS chairmanship on January 1 this year, taking over from Brazil. This marks the fourth time India has held the presidency of the influential bloc, having previously hosted summits in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in the national capital ahead of the meeting.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he reviewed the progress achieved under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia, as well as cooperation within the ASEAN framework.
“Glad to welcome FM Sugiono of Indonesia. Reviewed the progress of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and our cooperation with ASEAN,” Jaishankar wrote.
India and Indonesia established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2018 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official visit to the Southeast Asian country.
On Wednesday, Jaishankar also held meetings with his counterparts from Russia, Brazil, the Maldives, and South Africa.
During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar said the two leaders discussed various aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, and science and technology.
The discussions also covered global and multilateral issues. (ANI)
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