Lead

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu announced that a majority of BRICS delegations have backed initiatives to establish a rapid reaction mechanism and reserve resource funds for assistance to populations in member countries. The announcement came during a meeting of BRICS high representatives in charge of security issues, held on the sidelines of the International Security Forum in New Delhi.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from TASS, the Russian state news agency, provides the details of Shoigu's statements. According to TASS, Shoigu expressed gratitude that a majority of delegations supported the initiatives in principle, and expressed hope that they would be reflected in the post-summit declaration in September. The agency also reported Shoigu's remarks on the proposed reserve funds, which would include a range of critical resources.

Key Claims

  • A majority of BRICS delegations supported initiatives to establish a rapid reaction mechanism and reserve resource funds, as stated by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu at a meeting of BRICS high representatives on security issues.
  • The rapid reaction mechanism would involve appointing authorized persons to streamline coordinated approaches within BRICS regarding international issues, emergencies, and crises, according to Shoigu.
  • The reserve resource funds would include medications, food, energy, fertilizers, rare earths, and other critically important items for use in emergencies, as reported by TASS.
  • Shoigu also proposed building up reserves of various resources, including hydrocarbons, fertilizers, liquefied natural gas, oil, and medicines, to serve as a unifying framework so that every BRICS country can rely on these reserves.
  • The use of reserves could be aimed at regulating prices on the domestic market, helping neighbors, or making money when prices are at their peak, Shoigu noted, drawing attention to media reports of a country tapping into its strategic reserves.

Perspectives

Russian Government

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu presented the initiatives as a way to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance among BRICS countries. He emphasized the importance of building up reserves of critical resources to ensure that member states can rely on each other in times of need, and expressed optimism that the proposals would be included in the upcoming summit declaration.