BRICS Summit Day 2: Jaishankar Meets UAE, Saudi, Cuba Ministers Today

The BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi progresses into its second day, marked by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's intensive diplomatic outreach. On May 15, the third session features back-to-back bilateral huddles with ministers from 10 nations, capping off with a hosted dinner for summit leaders. This flurry of activity highlights India's proactive stance in global south diplomacy. Jaishankar's itinerary is a diplomatic marathon: a 25-minute session with Malaysia at 2:30 PM, a brief UAE MOS meet at 3:00, followed by quick exchanges with Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam deputies through 3:35 PM. The agenda intensifies with Cuba's Foreign Minister (3:45-4:10 PM) and Uganda's (4:15-4:40 PM), focusing on mutual interests and regional stability. Building on yesterday's momentum, Jaishankar spoke at the opening ceremony and led BRICS ministers' discussions on the bloc's two-decade legacy. He noted how partner countries have amplified joint endeavors, paving the way for a more robust, adaptive BRICS. 'Our shared strength allows us to evolve the grouping amid shifting global dynamics,' he remarked. Over time, BRICS has broadened its ambit, mirroring developing nations' aspirations for equitable international structures. While expanding agendas and inviting new members, it stays anchored in developmental goals and pragmatic partnerships. Jaishankar articulated a framework of four pillars: resilience, innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Under resilience, priorities encompass resilient supply chains, market diversification, advanced early warnings, and green infrastructure, alongside digital tools for societal benefits. Innovation drives include incubators, research hubs, and youth entrepreneurship platforms fostering breakthroughs. Collaboration manifests in MSME portals, trade financing mechanisms, and sector-specific alliances in farming and healthcare for grassroots gains. Sustainability efforts prioritize emissions reduction, renewable energy transitions, and enduring growth models. These developments at the summit not only celebrate BRICS' past but propel it toward a future of inclusive prosperity, with Jaishankar's engagements at the forefront.