Lead

Senior officials from BRICS nations concluded a two-day meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, with discussions centered on growing geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and global security concerns, as reported by Africa News. The meeting brought together national security advisers from member countries, with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval opening the discussions.

Coverage comparison

Africa News reported that the conclave concluded with a focus on global instability and weakening multilateral cooperation, while The Hindu's World section highlighted Doval's positive remarks on energy security and cooperation. The Hindu described the mood as one of "cautious optimism," particularly regarding recent diplomatic developments in West Asia.

Both outlets reported Doval's welcome of the ceasefire understanding between the United States and Iran, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Hindu emphasized the potential benefits for energy security and supply chains, while Africa News framed these developments as potentially reducing regional tensions and supporting international trade.

Key claims

  • BRICS nations concluded a two-day meeting in New Delhi on June 23, 2026, according to both Africa News and The Hindu.
  • India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval welcomed the ceasefire understanding between the United States and Iran, a claim reported by both outlets.
  • Doval described the opening of the Strait of Hormuz as "a very welcome move" that would help energy security, as quoted by The Hindu.
  • The Hindu reported Doval's statement that the opening would "remove supply chain bottlenecks and address shortages in sectors like fertilisers and chemicals."
  • Doval said BRICS has a major role to play in addressing various challenges, as reported by The Hindu.
  • BRICS represents around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40% of the global GDP, and around 26% of global trade, according to The Hindu.
  • The BRICS grouping has expanded to include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as reported by both Africa News and The Hindu.
Doval addressed delegates at the meeting, saying, "We are meeting at a very tumultuous time. The world is facing geopolitical uncertainties, economic strains, and disruptive technology," as quoted by The Hindu. He warned that "instruments and institutional mechanisms are increasingly finding themselves to be inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts," adding that "multilateralism is on the decline."

Doval also said BRICS "was conceived as an informal grouping of emerging economies to a more multipolar world order," aiming to "advance economic cooperation and strengthen the voice of the Global South," according to The Hindu. He described the bloc as "a very special coalition of countries that believe in peace, progress, development, and cooperation."

Africa News reported that Doval's remarks included a warning that existing international institutions were struggling to respond effectively to today's complex challenges and that multilateral cooperation was weakening.

Perspectives

India's National Security Adviser (Ajit Doval)

Doval expressed cautious optimism about the U.S.-Iran agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing their potential for energy security and supply chain improvements. He also stressed that BRICS has a major role to play in addressing global challenges, amidst concerns about declining multilateralism.