International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola is joining his counterparts in New Delhi for talks on multilateral cooperation and conflict de-escalation

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has arrived in New Delhi to join BRICS foreign ministers from May 14 to 15 for talks under India's chairmanship, focusing on multilateral cooperation and global tensions.

The meeting, held in New Delhi, is convened under the theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability (BRICS)". BRICS Foreign Ministers will deliberate and call for enhanced efforts to de-escalate and promote a peaceful resolution of conflicts raging in different parts of the world, including the Middle East.

The 2026 agenda is characterized by a profound commitment to a humanity-first orientation, signaling an approach to strengthen multilateralism and foster inclusive development.

Lamola expressed his confidence that these high-level deliberations will further cultivate the strategic synergy between BRICS member states, BRICS partner countries, and all international partners.

"Our presence here represents a concerted effort to shape a global architecture that is as sustainable as it is equitable," Lamola said.

"Through principled engagement and collaborative resolve, we seek to secure a future that honors the aspirations of all nations."

South Africa's High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said that the meeting of BRICS ministers is one of the most important ministerial engagements outside of the BRICS summit.

"It gives the BRICS foreign ministers an opportunity to come together and reflect on the critical global issues as they impact the current global environment, collectively discuss them and try to see how BRICS can offer solutions and/or suggestions in addressing some of these global crises that we all find ourselves in at the moment."

He highlighted that this includes the ongoing war in Gaza, the US-Israel situation in Lebanon and Iran, and the impact of the latter on fuel prices and supply.

"That is impacting all of us, the global community, including the BRICS countries, so they will have an opportunity, with the Iran foreign minister present, and the foreign minister of UAE being here as BRICS members, to also get perspective, and to see how we, as BRICS countries that firmly believe in global peace and security and working through the establish multi-lateral institution, try to address the situation," Sooklal said.

"Of course, they will also discuss other global hotspots like Sudan, and also get an opportunity to perhaps get a briefing from Russia on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine situation, and so that's always an important dimension of global peace and security that foreign ministers discuss, exchange views, and try to see how BRICS can positively impact all of these challenges."

He added that it is quite a packed agenda, but very focused on the challenges and how BRICS responds to them as a platform of the Global South.

"In many senses, it is an opportune time for collective reflection on all of these, and perhaps see how BRICS countries can positively impact, improve, and move forward, amid these challenges, and at the same time, reflect on the corporation within BRICS itself.

"I think more so than ever, we need to reflect as BRICS countries on how we strengthen resilience in terms of the challenges to the global economy, in terms of challenges against unilateral measures being taken against many of our countries, especially in the trade sector," Sooklal said.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said South Africa's participation is anchored in a long-standing tradition of principled advocacy, focusing on three core imperatives:

• Equity and Inclusivity: Promoting a balanced international order that upholds the sovereign interests of all states, fostering a more just global community.
• The Modernisation of Global Governance: Championing the reform of international political and financial institutions to ensure that they remain representative of the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
• The Synthesis of African and Global Progress: Ensuring that the priorities of the African continent are seamlessly integrated into the BRICS framework, under the guiding philosophy of "Better Africa, Better World."

They said that South Africa remains committed to bridging the gap between the developmental priorities of the Global South and emerging frontiers in technological, economic, and social innovation, with a view to ensuring that BRICS cooperation delivers tangible, inclusive, and sustainable socio-economic benefits for all.

First published by IOL

(RT.com)