Ajit Doval Opens 16th BRICS Security Meeting Amid Global Turmoil
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday welcomed representatives from BRICS and partner nations at the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting in New Delhi. The meeting brought together top security officials from the 11 full member nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
Doval emphasized that the gathering occurs during a period of significant geopolitical uncertainty. He stated that the world is beleaguered by military conflicts and complex security problems, facing geopolitical uncertainties, economic strains, and disruptive technology. He noted that threats are compounding while institutional mechanisms are increasingly inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts, and multilateralism is on the decline.
Participating Dignitaries from BRICS and Partner Nations
Key participants included Brazil Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs Carlos Marcio Bicalho Cozendey, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister in the Presidency of South Africa Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Secretary-General of the UAE Supreme Council for National Security Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Head of Egypt's State Information Service Alaa Youssef, Iran's Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy of Geo-Economy at the National Resilience Council of Indonesia Yayat Ruyat, and Executive Director of Analysis at the National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia Million Lema Tadesse.
The dignitaries also participated in a group photo session with all heads of security from the participating countries.
BRICS as a Special Coalition for the Global South
Speaking at the meeting, Doval hailed BRICS as a "very special coalition" and expressed elation over its growth. He stated that the member and partner economies have "got a very special role to play in this world." He underscored that BRICS was originally conceived to provide a platform for emerging economies to foster economic cooperation and strengthen the voice of the Global South.
Doval noted that the bloc remains dedicated to institutional reforms and a collaborative approach to international challenges. He said, "BRICS was conceived as an informal grouping of emerging economies to a more multipolar world order. It was to advance economic cooperation and strengthen the voice of the Global South. It also envisioned reforms in global governance and institutional improvements. BRICS is a very special coalition of countries that believe in peace, progress, development, and cooperation. I'm happy to see that it is gaining strength day by day."
India's Fourth BRICS Chairship in 2026
India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is its fourth, having previously held the position in 2012, 2016, and 2021. The Chairship is guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," reflecting a people-centric and humanity-first approach articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2025 Rio Summit.
BRICS currently brings together eleven major emerging economies: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
