What Happened At The Beijing's BRICS Summit

The Beijing Summit of BRICS countries ended with a declaration supporting talks between Russia and Ukraine. Here's what each country said.

India focuses on the economy: PM Modi in his opening remarks focused on global post-Covid economic recovery and the growing strength of the BRICS grouping.

• He believes that BRICS nations have a common vision for global economic governance, and hence, can make a useful contribution to the global economic recovery.

• He talked about the growing membership of the New Development Bank and the structural changes that have increased the influence of the BRICS institution.

China targets group politics: Xi Jinping in his opening remarks called for world peace and targeted "Cold War mentality and power politics".

• He asked BRICS countries to support each other and operationalise Global Security Initiative proposed by China.

• He mentioned Ukraine in the context of disruptions to global industrial and supply chains, sustained hikes in commodity prices, and weaker international monetary and financial systems.

• He emphasised the need to improve global science and technology governance and expand BRICS cooperation on cross-border payment and credit rating.

Russia slams "selfish" West: In a veiled attack on the US and European countries, Putin blamed the use of "financial mechanisms” for the economic crisis.

• He asked BRICS countries to cooperate with Russia in the face of "selfish actions" from the West as the country faces several sanctions over the Ukraine war.

• While drawing attention to the complexity and transnational nature of the challenges and threats, he called BRICS nations to effectively work together.

South Africa asks for democratisation: President Ramaphosa said, "Decision-making across the entire United Nations system needs to be democratised."

• He also targeted the West saying that the global community has not sustained the principles of solidarity and cooperation when it comes to equitable access to vaccines.

• He emphasised the need to strengthen intra-BRICS trade, investment and tourism, believing that BRICS' combined economic strength can be a catalyst for sustainable global economic recovery.

Brazil asks for reforms: President Jair Bolsonaro said that the BRICS must join efforts towards reforming the United Nations, to ensure they have proper representation.

• He also specifically mentioned the UN Security Council and called for reforms at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

• He talked about the BRICS' contribution to the restoration of the global economy after the 2007-2008 financial crisis, asking for the creation of jobs and sources of income.

BRICS declaration on global issues: Along with the Ukraine crisis, the BRICS declaration emphasised that the Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.

• It reiterated the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and all issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula through peaceful and diplomatic means.

• Declaration called for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.