Parliamentary delegations discussed climate issues, artificial intelligence, peace and security, and institutional parliamentary cooperation
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said trade talks are heading in a positive direction as India addresses 'sensitive' concerns raised by President Trump
India on Monday called upon BRICS to lead not just geopolitically, but also civilisationally, forging a "cultural ecosystem" that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity and anchors progress in shared values. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, also called for "stronger legal frameworks" to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, and advocated "ethical AI" that respects cultural diversity. The ministerial-level dialogue culminated in the "adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining four strategic cultural priorities," the Indian Ministry of Culture said in a late-night statement. These four priorities are -- "Culture, Creative Economy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Culture, Climate Change, and the Post-2030 Development Agenda; Return and Safeguarding of Cultural Property; and BRICS Cultural Festivals and Alliances", it said. The declaration reflects a collective vision for inclusive, rights-based, and
India on Monday called upon BRICS to lead not just geopolitically, but also civilisationally, forging a "cultural ecosystem" that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity and anchors progress in shared values. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in his address at the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, where he represented the country. Brazil is currently the chair of the influential grouping. In a post on X, the Union minister shared some of the broader contours of his address, an some photos. At the key meeting being hosted in Brasilia, Shekhawat he also "raised concern over the illicit online trade of cultural property and welcomed Brazil's focus on restitution -- a cause close to the Global South's civilisational soul". BRICS' other members include Russia, India, China and South Africa. This year's meeting will focus on "strengthening cultural cooperation, enhancing institutional collaboration, and developing joint cultural projects aimed at preserving and
The session was inaugurated by Daniel Cavalcanti, BRICS Chair, and Atul Sinha, Director General of NCA-T, India
Colombia's government has applied to join a China-based development bank, another sign of Latin America's drift away from the US as the Trump administration's foreign aid cuts, trade barriers and crackdown on immigration spurs many leaders in the region to seek closer ties with Washington's geopolitical rival. Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrapped up a visit to China this week with a stop in Shanghai, where he met with former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, the head of the New Development Bank. The multilateral lender was set up a decade ago as a project of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa the BRICS nations of major developing markets as a counter to US-dominated institutions like the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank. To date, the New Development Bank has approved loans for 122 infrastructure projects totalling more than USD 40 billion in areas such as transport, sanitation and clean energy, according to Rousseff. Petro, speaking to reporters in
Union Minister Manohar Lal will showcase the country's achievements in the power sector over the past decade at BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting on May 19, an official statement said on Saturday. Lal is on an official visit to Brazil to attend the meeting, a power ministry statement said. He will showcase the country's achievements in the energy sector over the past decade, including a 90 per cent increase in power capacity, leadership in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and biofuels, as well as innovations and sustainable development. India will also reaffirm its commitment to ensuring equitable access to energy and accelerating the energy transition.
Brazil said the group's foreign ministers expressed "serious concern at the prospect of a fragmented global economy and the weakening of multilateralism"
India on Friday pitched for placing small and marginal farmers at the centre of global agricultural strategies, saying they cannot face climate change, price volatility and resource scarcity challenges alone. Speaking at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brazil, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said global food security goals would remain unfulfilled unless small farmers are protected and empowered. "We cannot leave smallholders to fight these challenges alone. They need our policy support," Chouhan said, describing agriculture as not merely an economic activity but a source of "livelihood, food, and dignity" for millions. Chouhan presented cluster-based farming, farmer producer organisations, cooperative models and natural farming as effective approaches for empowering small farmers and improving their market access, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. The meeting underscored the need for fair agricultural trade, control of global price volatility
Developing nations will struggle to meet climate targets without sufficient funding from developed countries, leading to underfunded climate action, India said on Thursday. At the BRICS Environment Ministers' meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, India strongly advocated for climate justice and equity and said that the success of this year's UN climate conference depends on whether developed nations fulfil their climate finance commitments. "Developing countries must receive adequate financial and technological support from developed nations. The proposed USD 300 billion per year by 2035 under the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance falls significantly short of the USD 1.3 trillion required. "Without sufficient funding, developing nations will struggle to meet climate targets, perpetuating underfunded climate action," India said. With COP30 being hosted in Brazil, India said there is strong symbolic and political momentum for ambitious climate action. "COP30 provides an ...
The Baku to Belem Roadmap is aimed at securing $1.3 trillion in climate finance to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
With global economic shifts underway, India should keep its options open on emerging alternatives to the dollar
Brazil is optimistic about participation of economic actors, civil society, and businesses in the US to fight climate change
India has generally abstained from voting on loans sought by Pakistan in the IMF's executive board meetings
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned BRICS nations against attempts to challenge the dominance of the US dollar with an alternative global reserve currency
Earlier in January, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Brics nations if they try to introduce alternative currency to the US Dollar
Brazil is pushing reforms within Brics to ease international payments in local currencies, opening the door to less dependence on the dollar for global trade
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US President Donald Trump has warned Brics nations against creating an alternative currency to replace the US dollar, threatening 100 per cent tariffs on those attempting de-dollarisation
It is a necessary risk mitigation strategy in an uncertain world