India hosted the first BRICS Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi under its current chairship, marking an important step toward shaping the grouping’s priorities for the year. The three-day meeting, which began on February 9 and concludes on February 11, has brought together senior representatives from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on coordination, cooperation, and key global issues.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s BRICS Sherpa and Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela participated in the discussions, which were also attended by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Belarus Ambassador M. Kasko. Ambassador Kasko expressed appreciation to India for inviting partner countries, noting that such participation had not taken place previously. Dalela outlined India’s chairship priorities, guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of a “people-centric” and “humanity-first” approach under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
In Kolkata, exporters and trade observers view India’s BRICS leadership as an opportunity to expand trade linkages and investment flows with emerging economies, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and technology sectors. Business groups believe deeper BRICS cooperation could open new export channels for eastern India’s industries. India is chairing BRICS for the fourth time, and the meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for ministerial engagements and the BRICS Summit later this year.