External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has warned that the global political and economic order is undergoing major disruption, with volatility, uncertainty and complexity becoming defining features of the international environment. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, he argued that the changing landscape requires countries to become more resilient while remaining connected to global markets.
Jaishankar pointed to the economic consequences of geopolitical conflicts, pandemics and climate-related disruptions, while noting that rapid digitisation and technological advances are simultaneously creating new opportunities for growth and productivity. The message reflects India’s effort to balance economic openness with greater protection against external shocks.
For BRICS, Jaishankar said greater economic security should translate into greater self-reliance. He called for dependable logistics, predictable business conditions, diversified commercial relationships and transparent trade and investment practices. Resilient energy systems, he added, will also be essential as countries face an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The emphasis is significant because BRICS is attempting to turn its growing economic weight into practical cooperation. Discussions around stronger intra-BRICS trade, supply-chain integration, digital economies, payment connectivity and greater use of national currencies are gaining importance as members seek alternatives to excessive dependence on vulnerable global channels. BRICS finance chiefs have also called for reforms to institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
However, the bloc faces a major test: its members have very different political interests and relationships with Western economies. India, in particular, has avoided presenting BRICS as an anti-Western alliance.
Jaishankar’s message therefore captures India’s preferred approach—not isolation, but resilience through diversification. For New Delhi, a stronger BRICS would be most useful if it can deliver practical economic benefits without becoming trapped by geopolitical divisions.
