Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that wars, pandemics and climate change across the world are causing significant volatility in the global economy. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum ahead of the BRICS Summit, he said uncertainty and complexity have become the norm in today’s world. He called on BRICS countries to strengthen their economic resilience and prepare to withstand future global disruptions.
Jaishankar urged the BRICS business community to focus not only on profits but also on creating a stronger environment that enables businesses to operate smoothly across borders. He highlighted supply chain connectivity and transparent trade as key priorities. He also called for greater focus on services, agriculture, agri-tech, digital services, MSMEs, startups and women-led businesses to turn trade opportunities among BRICS nations into productive partnerships.
According to Jaishankar, genuine self-reliance for BRICS can be achieved only when economic activity expands and member countries gain greater economic security. However, he cautioned that self-reliance should not turn into an inward-looking approach limited to individual countries. He stressed the need for a business environment supported by reliable logistics, clear trade rules, diversified economic relationships and transparent investments.
