S. Jaishankar Calls BRICS and UN Complementary at General Assembly

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar argued that choosing between the BRICS grouping and the United Nations is a "false choice," asserting that the two entities are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. Speaking at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York during a session titled 'Ruptures & Ramparts: Building Bridges for a Changing World,' Jaishankar maintained that the UN remains central to the international system despite its current shortcomings.

Jaishankar characterized BRICS as a non-Western platform that provides a space for "alternative thinking" and represents growing non-Western viewpoints in global debates. He noted that the expansion of the group reflects significant global demand and that its focus on innovation, sustainability, and resilience aligns with UN objectives. According to Jaishankar, BRICS effectively applies bottom-up pressure for institutional reform, with the grouping remaining supportive of the UN while advocating for its evolution.