BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs express ‘grave concern’ with regard to COVID-19The Foreign Ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping on Tuesday expressed “grave concern” with regard to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a virtual meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed solidarity with India over the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, and said the grouping was ready to assist the country to fight the pandemic “as long as needed”. “The Ministers expressed grave concern over the continuing public health, societal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. In his comments, Mr. Wang said, “At this trying time, China stands in solidarity with India and all the BRICS countries. The participants, which included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco and South African Foreign Minister Grace Naledi Pandor, called for “transparency” in recruitments to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Source: The Hindu June 01, 2021 16:47 UTC