At the 2025 BRICS Summit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of strengthening global supply chains at a time when disruptions in trade and economic systems are becoming increasingly common. Representing India in place of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar highlighted the need for fair, transparent, and inclusive economic practices that benefit all nations, particularly amid rising trade frictions resulting from the tariff measures introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He underscored that resilience in global supply chains should now be a top priority, given the uncertainty and shocks that continue to affect international commerce.
Jaishankar explained that supply chains must not only be more reliable but also designed in a way that they can withstand sudden disruptions. He described this as creating systems that are resilient, redundant, and shorter in order to reduce vulnerability. He linked these efforts directly to the necessity of promoting fairness and equity in the global economy, arguing that the benefits of trade should not be concentrated but shared broadly across nations.
In his address, Jaishankar also pointed to the various challenges the international community has been facing in recent years. These included the devastating aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising volatility in trade and investment flows, and the worsening impact of climate change. He expressed concern that these issues have contributed to a slowdown in the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while at the same time exposing the failures of the current multilateral system to effectively respond to global crises.
He further stressed that conflicts around the world have direct consequences for economic development and supply chain stability. According to him, it is therefore vital that diplomacy be given greater importance to resolve hostilities and ensure sustainable, peaceful solutions that will, in turn, stabilize trade and development processes.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to a rules-based global trading system, Jaishankar made clear that India views the preservation of such a system as essential for global economic balance. He argued that this framework should not only be protected but also actively nurtured, and he encouraged BRICS members to adopt constructive strategies to make trade more sustainable.
In another significant part of his speech, Jaishankar cautioned against the dangers of imposing new trade barriers or linking trade policies to unrelated political or non-trade issues. He appealed to the BRICS countries to set an example for the world by simplifying trade flows among themselves, particularly since India continues to experience significant trade deficits with many of its BRICS partners. He explained that India has repeatedly raised this concern and pressed for swift corrective measures, expressing hope that the grouping will take note of this imbalance and work toward solutions.
Expressing his gratitude to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for hosting the summit, Jaishankar reiterated India’s call for cooperation and practical outcomes. His remarks, however, also came against the backdrop of growing trade tensions with the United States, where India’s exports now face a steep tariff burden. With Washington imposing a 25 percent reciprocal levy and an additional 25 percent tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, Indian exporters are grappling with an effective 50 percent tariff rate on their goods destined for the American market. This situation, Jaishankar suggested, highlights the urgency of reinforcing fair, transparent, and cooperative trade practices on the global stage.
