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Amid escalating diplomatic tensions with Washington, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday said he will not reach out to U.S. President Donald Trump. He declared: “I will not call Trump because he does not want to talk.” The comment, first reported by Reuters, comes in the wake of a significant deterioration in Brazil-U.S. ties. File Photo Source: exame on X The rift was exacerbated this week after the Trump administration imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Brazilian imports.  While Trump had earlier stated that Lula was welcome to contact him “anytime” to resolve trade disputes, Lula has made it clear that he will not initiate the conversation. Brazil’s finance minister, Fernando Haddad, had described Trump’s stated openness as “great,” adding that Lula would be open to a call.  However, Lula's latest statement signals a hardened posture, as Brazil absorbs both economic and political pressure from Washington. The tensions extend beyond trade. Last week, the...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the session on "Environment, COP30, and Global Health" at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, asserting India’s longstanding commitment to ecological balance and inclusive development.  Thanking Brazil for placing the environment and health on the agenda, Modi emphasized that climate change for India is not just a matter of energy, but a civilizational duty rooted in ancient values of harmony between life and nature.  Image Source: PM NaMo on X He underlined that despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India was the first country to achieve its Paris Agreement goals ahead of schedule, and added that for India, climate justice is not an option but a moral duty.  He called for the transfer of climate technologies and affordable climate finance to ensure equitable global progress. Modi cited flagship Indian initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Tree for M...

At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, India stood in alignment with fellow Global South nations in issuing one of the bloc’s strongest joint declarations yet—championing international law, condemning unilateral military actions, and calling for inclusive global governance rooted in peace, dignity, and development. The Rio Declaration, adopted on July 7, reflects a shared urgency to reset the moral and geopolitical compass of the international order. India, a founding BRICS member, played a key role in shaping a consensus that echoes the priorities of over two-thirds of humanity: sovereignty, justice, ceasefire, and self-determination. Image Source: PMNaMo on X The declaration firmly condemned military strikes on Iran since June 13, calling them violations of the UN Charter and international law. Expressing deep concern over the risk of escalation in the Middle East, it warned against attacks on civilian infrastructure and safeguarded nuclear facilities.  India, echoing the ...

India is set to reinforce its commitment to global cultural cooperation as it prepares to participate in the upcoming BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting , scheduled for May 26, 2025 , in Brasília, Brazil . The Indian delegation will be led by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , who will represent New Delhi at this high-level multilateral gathering. Image Source: GSS on X The meeting comes at a strategically important time for India, which is actively deepening its diplomatic engagements through initiatives such as Operation Sindoor —a 33-capital outreach focusing on counterterror diplomacy—and recent bilateral cultural exchanges with nations including Germany , South Korea , and Congo . The BRICS forum—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa —offers India a platform to shape global cultural narratives while advancing people-to-people ties. This year’s meeting will focus on strengthening multilateral cultural cooperation, enhancing instit...

India strongly advocated for equitable trade rules and deeper cooperation within the Global South at the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting, hosted under Brazil’s Presidency. Speaking against export controls among BRICS members, India urged mutual support and highlighted its commitment to a transparent, rules-based multilateral trading system.  Image Source: Wiki/Representational only. Representing India, Economic Adviser Yashvir Singh stressed the need to eliminate restrictive measures that disrupt supply chains and called on developed nations to enable concessional transfer of green technologies .  A speech delivered on behalf of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal commended Brazil’s consensus-driven approach and welcomed Indonesia’s induction into BRICS . The meeting culminated in a Joint Declaration and three key frameworks focused on WTO reform, digital economy governance, and sustainable trade—...

The New Development Bank (NDB) , founded by BRICS nations, has announced the admission of Algeria as its newest member, reinforcing the bank’s outreach among emerging economies. The Shanghai-based institution confirmed the move in a statement issued on Thursday. Algeria formally became a member after submitting its instrument of accession on May 19 , as outlined under the bank’s founding agreement. The inclusion is part of the NDB’s ongoing efforts to broaden participation beyond its original members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa . Welcoming the development, NDB President Dilma Rousseff noted Algeria’s strategic economic significance both in North Africa and globally , adding that its entry would help strengthen the bank’s international presence and impact. The NDB was set up in 2015 with a mandate to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries and other developing nations. Algeria’s accession is seen as a step towards diversifyin...