What Key Discussions Took Place Between India's Finance Minister and BRICS Counterparts?

Finance Minister Engages with BRICS Leaders in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: During her recent meetings with fellow finance ministers from BRICS, Nirmala Sitharaman, India's Finance Minister, addressed various topics related to bilateral cooperation aimed at enhancing strategic partnerships across multiple sectors, as stated in an official release.

While meeting with Anton Siluanov, the Finance Minister of Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' gathering, she emphasized the enduring partnership between India and Russia.

Sitharaman expressed her appreciation for the support from President Vladimir Putin following the Pahalgam terror incident, as noted in a post from the Finance Ministry on X.

The Finance Minister remarked that the relationship between India and Russia is characterized by exceptional mutual trust and understanding, reinforcing their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

She congratulated Russia on its successful leadership of BRICS in 2024 and affirmed India's commitment to utilizing the BRICS platform to foster South-South cooperation in shared interests. They also explored various initiatives recently undertaken within BRICS.

The discussions also encompassed bilateral cooperation in the financial sector and matters concerning the New Development Bank (NDB).

Sitharaman also met with Brazil's Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, where they deliberated on mutual interests, including South-South cooperation, enhancing the Global South's voice, climate finance issues related to COP30, and participation in global forums like the United Nations, G20, BRICS, WTO, and IBSA.

She commended Brazil's efforts during its BRICS Chairship, particularly its commitment to a multipolar world and the expansion of BRICS. Sitharaman expressed India's support for Brazil's agenda and priorities, looking forward to continuing outcome-driven cooperation when India assumes the Chairship in January 2026.

Highlighting the warm and cordial ties between India and Brazil, she noted their strategic partnership spans various sectors, with ongoing collaboration to strengthen their relationship.

In her conversation with Lan Fo'an, China's Finance Minister, Sitharaman pointed out that both India and China are in a unique position to foster inclusive global growth and innovation, being the largest and fastest-growing economies.

She stressed that both nations could enhance collaboration across numerous areas, leveraging their rich human capital, deep civilizational connections, and growing economic influence, as per the ministry's statement.

Sitharaman suggested that a deeper partnership could amplify the voices of developing economies and help shape global narratives that align with the priorities and aspirations of the Global South.