Jaishankar at BRICS: Urges Transparent, Inclusive Global Trade to Protect Developing Nations

At a time when the world economy is facing one of its most uncertain phases in decades, India has once again used the BRICS stage to make a strong case for fairness, resilience, and transparency in global trade. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the virtual BRICS Leaders’ Summit, urged the international community to move away from protectionist instincts and work together to build a trading system that is equitable, reliable, and inclusive.

His remarks come against a backdrop of intensifying tariff wars, new US trade barriers, and widespread disruptions in global supply chains — issues that have left many developing nations vulnerable and anxious about their economic futures.

Indian External Affairs Minister at BRICS

Setting the tone, Jaishankar acknowledged that the world order itself feels unsettled. From the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and from climate volatility to stalled progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — global cooperation is under strain.

“That so many serious stresses are being left unaddressed is understandably having consequences for the global order itself,” he cautioned.

This observation is particularly significant for countries in the Global South, which have been struggling with soaring costs of food, fuel, and essential commodities as global supply lines falter.

Building Stronger, Shorter Supply Chains

One of Jaishankar’s central messages was the need to reimagine global supply chains. In his view, the recent spate of trade restrictions, including US tariff escalations, has highlighted the dangers of overdependence on a handful of hubs.

“Our objective should be to proof the global economy against shocks by creating more resilient, reliable, redundant and shorter supply chains,” he said.

The emphasis was not just on resilience, but also on democratizing manufacturing — ensuring that more countries, especially developing ones, get a fair shot at becoming part of the world’s production networks. For India, this aligns closely with its push for self-reliance and regional manufacturing strength.

A Warning Against Rising Barriers

In what seemed like a pointed reminder to Washington, Jaishankar warned against using tariffs and restrictions as tools of political leverage.

“Increasing barriers and complicating transactions will not help. Neither would the linking of trade measures to non-trade matters,” he stressed, urging BRICS nations to lead by example through smoother intra-bloc trade.

Such remarks reflect India’s longstanding position: that trade should remain trade, and not be held hostage to geopolitical or strategic concerns.

Championing Developing Nations’ Interests

India has consistently argued that developing countries deserve a fairer deal in the global trading system. Jaishankar echoed this principle once again, highlighting the need for special treatment, inclusivity, and transparency.

“India strongly believes that this should be protected and nurtured,” he said.

The message was clear — while developed economies may debate tariffs and subsidies, developing nations are grappling with basic survival issues like food security, energy costs, and sustainable growth.

Beyond tariffs, Jaishankar also tied global conflicts and maritime insecurities to disruptions in trade. For many economies in the Global South, shipping lanes are not just channels of commerce, but lifelines for livelihoods.

“Where shipping is targeted, not just trade but livelihoods also suffer. A selective protection cannot be a global answer,” he warned, underscoring the urgency of diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The Call for Multilateral Reforms

The External Affairs Minister used the BRICS platform to reiterate India’s push for a stronger and more representative multilateral system.

He pointed out how institutional gridlocks, particularly at the UN, have left many pressing challenges unresolved. “The BRICS have taken a positive view of this need for reform and we expect that it would collectively become a strong voice for much-awaited change,” he said.

For India, this also ties back to its larger demand for UN Security Council reforms — a cause that has found sympathetic ears within BRICS.

Climate Justice and Sustainable Growth

No modern global discussion is complete without climate concerns, and Jaishankar emphasized this too. He called for greater focus on climate justice and highlighted India-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Global Bio-fuels Alliance as positive steps in the right direction.

The underlying message was that sustainable growth cannot be an afterthought; it must be built into the very design of global trade and development systems.

BRICS as a Counterweight to Protectionism

In his concluding remarks, Jaishankar positioned BRICS not merely as an economic grouping, but as a vital platform that can push back against rising protectionism and champion the cause of fairness in global trade.

With the US hardening its tariff stance and global supply chains facing constant shocks, BRICS, in his view, must demonstrate that an alternative, more equitable framework is possible.

Jaishankar’s intervention at the BRICS Summit was more than a routine diplomatic statement. It was a reminder that in an age of fractured geopolitics, protectionism, and trade weaponization, countries like India are pushing for a different model — one where transparency, inclusivity, and resilience form the backbone of global commerce.

Whether this vision gains momentum will depend on how major economies respond to the mounting calls for reform. But for now, India’s message is clear: the world cannot afford a trading system that is unfair, unstable, and exclusionary.