At the 13th Brics Ministerial Meeting under the chairmanship of South Africa, Goyal emphasized his government’s desire to see a strengthened, improved and inclusive WTO with 30 operational improvements before it completes its three decades on January 1, 2025.

He informed the Brics member countries about India’s achievements and its recent ranking of fifth according to the Climate Change Performance Index, published by German Watch, and that India was the only country in the Group of Twenty (G20) in the top 10.

As Brics members are also part of the G20, he urged them to strengthen cooperation for meaningful results under the G20 “Trade and Investment Working Group” under India’s presidency.

On the collective efforts between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Goyal stressed working in an open atmosphere based on trust through transparency and information sharing as a key theme.

Regarding supply chains, the Indian Minister pointed out that the principles of trust and transparency, along with security and diversification, are the most important factors in making them robust and resilient.

He also referred to the digital economy and expressed deep concern about the deprivation of access to virtual platforms, telemedicine, distance education and e-payments.

Goyal mentioned India’s proactive actions and concerted decision to adopt a whole-of-society approach to digital technology and improved public services.

jg/arm/mem/lrd