BRICS central banks experts to meet in Turkey

BRICS central banks experts are holding a two-day meet for drafting an operating agreement on the BRICS Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) this weekend. Officials from the five BRICS countries are meeting in Bodrum, Turkey on Saturday and Sunday to finalise the joint monetary fund ahead of the 7th Leaders Summit in Russia. Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping, Jacob Zuma from South Africa, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and India's Narendra Modi will meet for the Summit on 8-9 July in Ufa.

The $100 billion CRA was agreed at a BRICS summit in Fortaleza in July last year. China contributed $41 billion to the capital stock; India, Brazil and Russia each paid in $18 billion, and South Africa's share is $5 billion.

The reserve fund will provide liquidity support to member countries in response to short-term balance of payments problems.

As the BRICS countries prepare to launch new financial institutions like the $100 billion BRICS Bank, the China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, and a $100 billion BRICS currency reserve fund, the IMF has once again delayed voting reforms to give emerging countries greater say.

A statement from the International Monetary Fund on Friday said the board has postponed the discussion on how to move forward without Washington.

The board will now take stock of the situation in September.

"We remain disappointed and seriously concerned with the current non-implementation of the 2010 International Monetary Fund (IMF) reforms, which negatively impacts on the IMF's legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness," said BRICS in July's Fortaleza Declaration in 2014.

Pharma sector can power intra-BRICS trade

Pharmasyntez pharmaceutical company plans to expand its operations and drive growth within Russia by local repackaging of its products, followed by complete technology transfer to local manufacturers, said BP Singh, General Director of the company, in an interview to media in Moscow. Singh, a Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) graduate, has lived in Russia since he was a student, and believes Russian pharmaceuticals shares strong growth prospects with other BRICS countries.

"The Russian pharmaceutical industry is always a lucrative and attractive market, despite the economic recession in the country and devaluation of national currency, caused by sanctions. We observe that the current boom is mainly due to successful implementation of the existing state strategy", he says.

Has your company been affected by the crisis? What measures are you taking to undo the damage inflicted by the recession?

"It has affected us in short term liquidity but we are taking this crisis very positively and even perceiving that this crisis will open many new opportunities and doors for our company as well as for the bilateral relations between India and Russia.

"To take advantage of the growing Russian pharmaceutical market, several pharmaceutical majors are investing in Greenfield manufacturing projects in Russia, and Indian companies are coming forward with local manufacturing (in Russia) and are investing in domestic Research & Development to develop complex medicinal molecules locally, especially in the sphere of life-saving drugs."

"And this gives confidence to us and to the local partners to join hands together in developing new drugs with the best quality in the domestic R&D with the support of Pharma 2020 program."

The pharmaceutical industry is believed to be one of the top industries of the Indo-Russian cooperation.

What do you expect from the upcoming SCO and BRICS forums? Will they give an impetus to a stronger bilateral cooperation, in particular, in the pharma industry?

"The Russian pharmaceutical market is continuously growing for the last five years and shares strong growth prospects with the other BRICS countries; its manufacturing base is not as developed as fellow BRICS countries, such as India and China, which have a domestic manufacturing base. So, BRICS forum plays a vital role in technology sharing to develop the indigenous Russian pharmaceutical industry, through joint ventures and technology know-how transfer. Pharmaceutical joint ventures help to boost the bilateral trade between the BRICS countries and will open vast opportunities in this line for all the five into this complicated political set-up of the world."

Youth meet to discuss BRICS meet outcome

Moscow:

Individuals from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are set to meet for their first forum in Russia's Ufa city in July - on the sidelines of the BRICS summit - to identify areas where they can collaborate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others, will attend the BRICS summit, TASS news agency reported.

Young men and women from BRICS nations will meet in Ufa from July 26-29. They will take stock of the outcome of the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summits, scheduled between July 8 to 10 in the capital of Bashkortostan republic.

The youth forum will be organised in association with the Russian Youth Union (RYU), government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and the Civic Chamber of Russia and Rossotrudnichestvo.

"Russia is currently presiding in BRICS, so we need to make maximum use of this in order to create as many joint projects as possible. Within the framework of the forum, we gather active young people from these countries who are involved in social activism, business, politics, and diplomacy," RYU chairman Pavel Krasnorutsky said.

Russia's special focus at the summit will be young entrepreneurship within BRICS and the SCO.

"We will also discuss various programmes which will make it possible to get acquainted with new peoples and countries. It is now necessary to involve young people as actively as possible in all the processes taking place in the world.

"This is because in the current macroeconomic situation it is very important to build relationships with our country's strategic partners," Krasnorutsky added.

One of the main tasks this year is to form BRICS "national youth units". These will be tasked with conducting at least three events on various themes each year in their countries. Additionally, work is on to hold "youth exchange years" between Russia and India, similar to the Russia-China Youth Exchange Years (2014-15).

Bilateral ties to power BRICS

Though primarily intended as an economic union, BRICS is acquiring increasingly political overtones and bilateral ties between members will shape the organization, said Sitaram Sharma, Chairman of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, a Kolkata-based think tank.

Following is the brief summary of his recent interview to a newspaper:

Next week BRICS leaders will meet in Russia at the 7th summit of this group. How do you see BRICS after these seven years?

"The initiatives, which have been taken by BRICS in the beginning, of setting up of New Development Bank and CRA (Contingent Reserve Arrangement) are economic measures. BRICS countries realised that the global economic system was not fair to them and they wanted to develop a fairer system and economic world order, where the domination of the Western countries can be responded."

"Although I do not think the New Development Bank or even the CRA are measures directly opposed to the World Bank or the IMF (International Monetary Fund – RIR). In fact, the best thing will be if both of them work together as complementary to each other. There is a possibility of working in tandem for a better world.

BRICS is also emerging from being a purely economic entity to a political concept also."

In what sense?

"In today's world, politics and the economy can`t be separated totally. Both are interlinked. We saw the attempt in the last G-20 summit in Brisbane to exclude Russia. It was the pressure of BRICS that brought Russia back.

It shows is that the political power of BRICS countries can ensure that no member of the BRICS can be geopolitically isolated and this is very important."

Could you suggest some more areas that BRICS can cooperate with each other?

"Usually, the host country takes the initiative in formulating the agenda for the Summit. For Russia and for this particular Summit, economic issues will be the main item on the agenda and for various valid reasons.

One, we know that Russia is facing a severe economic crisis because of the drop of oil prices and the economic sanctions. So, economic issues are most important for Russia.

China is a major economic power and can play a major role in the economic structure of the BRICS countries. However, China is not only a major economic power but is also a political one. Whole concept is this that in the BRICS countries, China, Russia, India, they will have to be global players to have a new world order based on justice and here, I believe, BRICS as a whole can play a very important role."

Do you see the road for new members of BRICS in the nearest future?

"I think it will take some more time. BRICS as it is represents almost one-third of the global population. The combined economy of BRICS is nearly about $20 trillion, which is huge. In this situation, their economies can influence the global economy.

The New Development Bank with about $100 billion at its disposal can play a very important role also. As I understand, it will be mainly in the area of infrastructure. Here comes the complementary role of the World Bank and the New Development Bank. They can work together.

IMF is very keen that a new entity has come, which would like to play an important role in the infrastructure development of the world.

Similarly, CRA is an institution, which has come up to take care of the economies facing a critical phase. It can come as a helping hand at the time of crisis, which is also very important. There was a much-felt need of such an agency to support the different countries of the world."

NDB and CRA are only two projects. What other projects can be interesting for India?

"Infrastructure is one of the most critical areas for India. The main emphasis of the new government is to develop infrastructure, and they are looking for funding from all over the world, because India does not have that kind of resources.

That`s why NDB and CRA can be of great importance and relevance to India and I am sure, that it is equally relevant for other countries, except China."

What do think about cooperation in the areas of culture or education?

"This is the seventh Summit, but BRICS is still taking shape. To have such an organisation, it takes time. All the member countries of BRICS would like to keep their sovereignty intact, but at the same time to have a role, where they can develop an interdependent economy.

Naturally, once the economic cooperation integration is in place, it will lead to the greater political understanding.

When sanctions were imposed on Russia, it needed some countries who will understand Russia better. For that, you need a forum to work together.

Secondly, once the understanding develops, it will lead to cultural integration, scientific and educational cooperation. It will also lead to the greater flow of tourists from each other's country.

We have seen that for all such platforms that have emerged in the past, it took a very long time to develop into that kind of relationship."

How much time it will take?

"This world is very different from the last century, and the situation continues to change very fast. It will not take as long as it took the European Union.

It will also depend on what kind of developments take place in world affairs.

BRICS will be taken by the Western world as a forum to counterbalance it. Naturally, there always will be resistance to that kind of grouping. It is a kind of a grouping of developing countries as opposed to the developed countries.

Definitely, BRICS is going to be further strengthened. In coming years need for economic growth is going to be more. Our countries are fully aware that they can achieve the sustainable growth only by working together.

Could you suggest some concrete educational and cultural projects for the BRICS countries?

"All these member countries have a good number of individual projects on a bilateral basis because these countries are not new to each other. It is not that that kind of relationship will be developing only through BRICS. It will also be bilateral.

Secondly, we should also not try to impose too many things on BRICS and should not bring those issues that can be handled bilaterally better. It has to be a collective decision by the BRICS countries and I think the idea should be to work on those broader issues where the combined cooperation of more than two-three countries is required.

I think bilateral relationship whether in the field of culture or education or art, should be left to the sovereign countries to decide bilaterally."

There is one more idea, to create BRICS Parliament Assembly. Is BRICS in need of such formal structures?

"I think it is too premature to talk of these things. At the same time, I would like to submit that we need to nurture BRICS as a concept. It is still in its infancy. Any major step projecting it as a parallel to some kind of blocks will not be a good idea.

Then, we know there are problems between the members of the BRICS. Therefore, any move towards these ideas should be very carefully taken and I do not think that the time is right for these kinds of proposals."

What will be the biggest challenges BRICS will face in the upcoming summits?

"The biggest challenge is to maintain good, friendly relations between the member countries bilaterally. We know that India and China have their own border problems, but both have decided to keep the issue on the backburner and work for economic cooperation. We have very sharp differences. It is very important that the bilateral issues between these member countries, they remain at a very good level. It will only strengthen BRICS.

Fortunately, you see that at present there are no major bilateral issues between Russia and China or Russia and India. This is a good sign but at the same time, the bilateral relations will guide BRICS largely."

Indian Institute of Science ranked fifth among BRICS universities, China dominates

New Delhi, July 9:

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has been ranked fifth among the best universities in the BRICS countries by an international ranking body, making it thus the best performance by an Indian institute in the global ranking lists.

"The Indian Institute of Science has come straight into the ranking in the top five in the first year in which it has submitted a full set of data.""We are considered the best research-oriented university. It feels good to be in the top 10 list among BRICS universities, but we would like to be in the top 100 list of world university ranking," said Govindan Rangarajan, chairman of division of interdisciplinary research at IISc.

The 'QS University Rankings: BRICS ((Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) 2015′ released today reflected the Chinese dominance in the ranking list with the top three spots going to Tsinghua University, Peking University and Fudan University.

The QS University Rankings: BRICS is based on eight key performance indicators, relating to global reputation, internationalization, academic staff levels, and research production and impact. This year more than 500 universities in the BRICS countries were considered for inclusion, with the top 200 published. The online ranking table can be sorted to compare universities either overall, or on each of these eight criteria.

Talking about IIS Bangalore, the ranking agency said it ranked fifth with the largest number of papers published per faculty member and strong scores across other indicators.

The rankings were based on eight key performance indicators, relating to global reputation, internationalisation, academic staff levels, and research production and impact.

Chinese universities in fact occupied seven of the top 10 spots and almost half of the top 50.

"With 53 institutions in the top 200, Russia is second only to China, which has 67 universities featured. Yet only seven Russian institutions make the top 50, compared to China's 21, Brazil's 10, and India's nine," a statement said.

In its third annual edition, the QS University Rankings: BRICS was developed to track the relative progress of leading universities in the five fast-developing BRICS countries – all of which have made investment in higher education and research high national priorities.

In total, there are 110 Chinese universities among the top 400 and 67 among the top 200. For India, the corresponding numbers are 94 and 31."India has seen a rise of more than 50% in the number of institutions listed in the latest ranking of the top 200 universities in BRICS countries," QS said in its ranking booklet.

Released today, the 2015 edition of the QS University Rankings: BRICS reflects the increasingly strong global presence of leading Chinese universities – with the top three spots going to C9 members Tsinghua University, Peking University and Fudan University.

China now spends more on research and development than any country other than the US. It's forecast to overtake the entire European Union and the US on this measure by the end of the current decade, with a national target of investing 2.5% of GDP on research by this point.

Meanwhile recent years have seen the Russian government step up efforts to internationalize its higher education, with a focus on gaining ground in the global rankings. More than 10 billion roubles (US$300m) has been committed in grants for leading Russian universities, with the Council on Global Competitiveness Enhancement of Russian Universities established to monitor progress and guide the project.

India likewise has its eye on the international stage, with the government's "brain gain" policy aspiring to establish 14 world-class universities.

Interesting statistics

BRICS accounted for over 17 percent of global trade, 13 percent of the global services market and 45 percent of the world's agricultural output in 2014.

The combined GDP (purchasing power parity) of the five BRICS countries surged from $10 trillion in 2001 to $32.5 trillion in 2014.

10 steps for the future

India proposes to host the first trade fair for the group

Research centres for railways and agriculture

Cooperation among supreme audit institutions

A digital initiative and a film festival

A forum of state or local governments

Cooperation amongst cities in field of urbanisation

BRICS sports council and annual sports meet

First project of NDB in field of clean energy

India pushes for greater facilitation of trade within BRICS

Ufa, July 12:

The five-nation grouping agrees to consider a simplified business visa regime and easier customs procedures. The New Development Bank plans a unique approach towards lending.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the country's BRICS partners to facilitate trade and reduce customs barriers that are in place at the moment. Addressing the BRICS Business Council, at the 7thannual BRICS summit in Ufa, Modi said India expected to sign an intra-BRICS customs agreement to facilitate trade.

Modi also suggested that the BRICS countries host an annual trade fair. "I will propose an annual BRICS trade fair," Modi said. "India will be happy to host the first BRICS trade fair."

The BRICS Business Council, which is composed of 25 prominent entrepreneurs from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents various industries and sectors in the grouping. Its members spoke of difficulties in obtaining visas and said this was among the barriers to greater trade within the grouping.

South African President Jacob Zuma told the council that the country supported measures to facilitate visas for businesspeople. He said South Africa unilaterally initiated such measures last year. South Africa suggested that a BRICS business pass be developed on the lines of the APEC Business Travel Card, where a holder does not need a visa to visit an APEC member country.

Brazil is the only BRICS member that follows a strictly reciprocal visa policy. India's new electronic visa system simplifies the entry procedure for casual business visitors and tourists. Citizens from all of India's BRICS peers can use the facility to obtain a one-month visa twice in a calendar year.

Bureaucracy pertaining to customs procedures, however, remains a common complaint among each BRICS member. Customs procedures should reduce on initiatives such as a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and India, however they do not provide a common solution for the BRICS grouping as a whole.

Russia proposed a roadmap for investment cooperation with the BRICS. "We have consulted with our businesses, and have included about 50 projects and initiatives, including the establishment of an energy association, the creation of an international energy research centre, as well as founding an industry union," Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session.

Expanding cooperation in technology, sports and film

Thanking Putin for hosting the summit in Ufa this year, Modi came up with a series of ideas to improve cooperation within the BRICS.

At the plenary session, Modi called for cooperation in renewable energy and the development of digital technologies. He also said there should be greater interaction between states and provinces in BRICS member countries and a common approach towards meeting food and water shortages.

He also said the members should organize sporting events, adding that India could host a BRICS football tournament.

"We should also cooperate in film production," Modi said, emphasizing the fact that films are an important part of the culture of each of the BRICS countries.

The Indian Prime Minister also raised the issue of international terrorism. "We should speak in one voice, without distinction and discrimination between groups and countries, sponsors and targets," Modi said. These comments should be looked upon within the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit that will be held on July 10.

The SCO will initiate the measures to make India and Pakistan permanent members of the security grouping. Modi's remarks may have also been targeted at his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. The two are scheduled to hold a meeting in Ufa.

BRICS Bank not a rival of Bretton Woods institutions

Senior bankers from Russia and India said the New Development Bank, which held its inaugural meeting before the BRICS summit, would continue to expand, but would not position itself as a rival to existing multilateral lending institutions.

"The decision was made to create a financial institution which is to support economic development in BRICS countries," Vladimir Dmitriev, Chief Executive of Vnesheconombank told RT. "I would rather say that it's a complimentary vehicle to be focused specifically on the development of BRICS countries."

Dmitriev said one of the goals of creating the New Development Bank (NDB) was to create a mechanism that would allow Russia to finance joint projects in local currencies.

NDB President K.V. Kamath said the bank would have a different approach towards lending, where it places a priority on the borrowers' interest instead of the lender's interests.

"So far loans were made from the mindset of the lender but we are now going to look at it from the mindset of the borrower," Kamat told ET Now. Kamath echoed Dmitriev's sentiments by saying that the NDB was not a competitor to the World Bank or IMF. "There are no fears, NDB represents the expectations and aspirations of developing nations."

Roundtable on BRICS perspectives held

A round table interaction on "Results of UFA Summit and perspectives of BRICS countries" was organised here on Thursday by Russian Centre of Science and Culture jointly with Indo-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industries and BRICS Generation.

Speaking on the occasion N Ram, Chairman of Kasturi and Sons, said that in the past India did not put all its efforts in participating and strengthening of BRICS as it should have.

"Not that we stayed away (from BRICS). But not in the way Russia and China did. It is Russia and China that really gave a lot of initial energy and creativity to the BRICS organisation. Then Brazil also contributed and South Africa came in later," he said while addressing a round table interaction on "Results of UFA Summit and perspectives BRICS countries" organised by Russian Centre of Science and Culture jointly with Indo-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industries and BRICS Generation.

The BRICS summit was held on July 8-9 in the Russian City of Ufa in Bashkortostan. During the summit there were several discussions on the New Development Bank whose primary focus was lending to infrastructure projects. The bank will have an initial capital of USD 50 billion, which will be scaled up over time. Mr K V Kamath who served as chairman on the Infosys board is the chief of the New Development Bank of BRICS.

"The New Development Bank which is going to be an alternative to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund is backed by resources equally by the five partner countries. India and Russia will play and integral part in this," said Mr Ram.

Concerns were expressed on lack of reform of IMF and in particular the need to have greater representation from developing countries was flagged at the summit, Mr Ram pointed out.

Dr Sergey L Kotov, Consul General, Russian Consulate General in South India said, "For the Russians here in Chennai this is a very interesting issue." Dr Sergey along with Mr Ram suggested that BRICS language institutes can be started here.

BRICS is the acronym of five emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

BRICS okays list of research projects

BRICS Ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation have signed a declaration outlining the directions on research that member countries will be working on over the next three years.

Ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation from BRICS countries met in Moscow recently and outlined, in the Moscow Declaration, basic directions of technical and scientific cooperation until 2018.

Among those who attended were Lyudmila Ogorodova, Russia's Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Carlos Cardim, Brazil's Ambassador and Head of International Affairs Office of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Dr Harsh Vardhan, India's Minister of Science,Technology and Earth Sciences, – Cao Jianlin, China's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, and Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology.

The declaration outlined the creation of joint BRICS scientific research and innovation platforms to work in five different areas, proposed and agreed upon by each country. Russia's proposals related to water resources and combating water pollution; Brazil's to preventing and mitigating adverse effects of natural disasters; India's related to geospatial technologies and their application; China's, to new and renewable sources of energy efficiency; and South Africa's to astronomy. They also decided to cooperate via networking in the following areas: biomedicine, human health and neuroscience; information technologies, software for high-performance computers; study of the oceans and polar research; coordination of materials on nanotechnologies and photonics.

India's minister also proposed that such meetings should be arranged for young scientists from BRICS countries. They also discussed the issue of creating major research infrastructure and "mega-science" projects. The participants concluded that despite occupying leading positions in the world, no country alone was the global leader in developing such projects. Among the projects to be implemented is the NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider Facility) complex, in Dubna. The NICA complex can be characterized as the "little brother" of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva.

"In Brazil, we are working on creating cooperation between the private sector and the state. This item should also be discussed at our meetings. Such cooperation should be present in all sectors and manufacturing fields. Only with the joint efforts of the ministries and the scientific community will we succeed. Not only when it is financed by the state, but also by the private sector," said Cardim, the Brazilian Ambassador.

Cao said the rate of economic growth is slowing, and all countries are encountering difficulties. He said China was willing to promote multilateral cooperation among countries, to form the technological basis to move ahead.

"In India, we are paying great attention to science and education. It is important to keep this in mind when creating our plans for cooperation. By 2016, we plan to create a special forum for young scientists of BRICS countries. Technologies of the 21st century have been focusing at the competitive component. Now, to obtain more opportunities and knowledge, it is necessary to unite," said Harsh Vardhan.

South Africa's Pandor supported the idea of a youth forum for young BRICS scientists.

"As for the young scientists' forum – this is our future and the legacy of our organization. Many conflicts in the world are the consequence of a lack of understanding of our differences, and we have to attract young people of different nationalities into such cooperation," said Pandor. "Cooperation within BRICS is important for the development of not only South Africa, but also the entire African continent."

India, new BRICS chair

Taking over the presidency of the BRICS bloc from Russia, India will continue with initiatives begun by Moscow, while adding some of its own.

India hopes to consolidate the initiatives of BRICS and take forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ten suggestions for future called 'Dus Kadam' as it took over chairmanship from Russia on Monday. India will be the next chair of BRICS for the next 11 months beginning February 15 till December 2016. From January 2017, the calendar of BRICS will match the annual calendar.

"Focus will be on integration and consolidation of the announcements made by PM last year at Ufa. During the chairmanship our focus will be on operationalising and streamlining mechanisms established thus far and imparting them greater focus. Plan is to give further meaningful addition to the financial architecture within the BRICS framework and carrying the New Development Bank (NDB) agenda forward.

In line with PM's thinking we will take BRICS to people and to the provinces through trade fair, films festival, wellness festival, yoga, youth and people. That will be the key focus during India's presidency," official sources say.

The Russian Government has wished India well. "We very highly value the fact that since February 15, India will take the baton of chairmanship in BRICS from Russia. We hope that India's chair will be productive, fruitful and rich in content," Russian Ambassador in India Alexander M Kadakin has said.

At the last BRICS summit in Ufa in 2015, Modi had proposed ten initiatives for closer cooperation and coordination among BRICS nations. This includes hosting BRICS trade fair, film and sports festivals, setting up railway and agriculture research centres, having co-operation among supreme audit institutions, digital initiatives, local Government forum, co-operation among cities in the field of urbanisation, and having first major NDB project in the field of clean energy.

India plans to kick start the BRICS sports meet by hosting first under-17 football meet from the member countries. The BRICS agenda has considerably widened over the years to include topical global issues such as international terrorism, WMDs, climate change, food and energy security, Millennium Development Goals, international economic and financial situation apart from focus on trade, agriculture, health, science and technology.

One of the important features of the BRICS is the continuity of initiatives offered by each of the countries. India hopes to continue the initiatives already started and, as this year's president, India would also like to add new initiatives.

Sushma reveals projects for BRICS, priority to education, travel, tourism and health

New Delhi, Mar 24:

India is preparing a list of priority projects to seek investments from BRICS countries during the 8th summit of the heads of state of the group of the world's major emerging economies, scheduled to be held on October 15-16, in Goa.

For the next BRICS summit, scheduled to be held during India's presidency in Goa on October 15 and 16, India is readying a list of priority projects to invite investments from BRICS countries. The prospective projects for investments, mainly in the field of infrastructure, are expected to give a thrust to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" programme. The initiative, is expected to raise the level of trade and economic cooperation among BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

"Over 50 meetings and events at various levels would be held through the year. 'Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions' is the core-theme for our BRICS chairmanship. Enhancing greater people to people participation in BRICS events will also be our priority. It will also be our effort to organize various BRICS events across the country in different States," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Delhi, at a function to launch the BRICS Logo and summit website.

Swaraj congratulated Sudeep Gandhi, who designed and won the BRICS Logo 2016 contest. Painted in BRICS country's colours and symbolizing India's national flower, the BRICS Lotus encompasses the BRICS spirit and will grace all related events through the year.

Swaraj said in her address "We will adopt a five- pronged approach during our chairmanship. It will comprise Institution Building, Implementation, Integration, Innovation, and Continuity with Consolidation."

India is chairing the rotating summit for the second time after it hosted the 4th BRICS summit in March 2012, in New Delhi. The previous BRICS summit was held in July 2015, in Ufa, under Russian President Vladimir Putin's chairmanship.

The main objective of the theme of India's chairmanship, 'Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions' (BRICS), is to ensure BRICS work closely to find solutions to issues confronting the group's economies. During 2016, India plans to launch greater cooperation among BRICS in services and in ways to deal with non-tariff measures restricting goods trade between BRICS member-countries.

Official sources said the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) will meet in April to discuss trade and economic issues, including India's list of priority projects, and a proposal to establish a mechanism to expeditiously resolve non-tariff barriers. In services, the meeting will exchange opinions to intensify cooperation in different mutually beneficial fields including education, travel, tourism and health.

The CGETI will prepare the agenda for BRICS Trade and Economy Ministers. The final action plan document will be finalized at the last meeting, to be held with the 8thsummit.

As BRICS chair in 2016, India is pursuing a pro-active economic policy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation among member-countries. It plans to push for an agreement on business visa liberalization and issuing business travel cards during the summit. Visa liberalization is expected to allow businessmen multiple-entry business visa for a longer period of time.

Media reports suggest that India is also working on a programme for cooperation in the field of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).

Modi, who is taking a special interest in making the summit a success, with an "Indian imprint," has instructed concerned officials to work on his 10-point programme, to boost cooperation between the BRICS nations.

People-to-people interactions, business, youth, and sports will be priority areas. In the run up to the summit, India is also planning to hold a Trade Fair and an Investor Forum to promote programmes such as "Make In India," "Smart City Mission," "Digital India," and "Start-up India."

A BRICS Film Festival, BRICS Under-17 Football Tournament, BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave and a BRICS Youth Summit will also be held to further people-to-people contacts among member-countries. Some of these events may coincide with the summit in Goa.

Importance of BRICS 2016 Summit

India will be hosting the eighth summit of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in Goa in October this year and as the Chairman of the BRICS group, the Indian Government has been entrusted with a major responsibility to contribute to the process of easing the global economic crisis by identifying the areas where immediate action is needed to correct the distortions. The five members of BRICS represent more than two-fifth of the world population and a combined GDP of over US$ 16 trillion. As a multilateral organization, BRICS has a crucial role to play in the global economy apart from expanding the scope of cooperation between the members of the grouping. India has to impart an innovative leadership to the BRICS summit this year by focusing on the issues which have been ailing the global economy due to the partisan policies of the rich nations led by the United States.

Right now, India is having most comfortable situation in terms of both economy and polity among the BRICS nations. All other countries are having serious economic problems. That way, India is better placed to give the leadership for taking concrete steps to some of the decisions which were taken at the 2015 summit at UFA in Russia. The 2015 summit expressed its disappointment at the prolonged failure by the United States to ratify the IMF 2010 reform package which continues to undermine the credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of the IMF. Further, the BRICS declaration shared concerns regarding the challenges of sovereign debt restructurings. Debt restructurings have often been too slow and too late thus failing to reestablish debt sustainability and market access in a durable way. India has to take the lead in ensuring that the handling of sovereign debt restructurings be improved to the benefit of the developing countries.

BRICS members are aware of the need for a strong alternative to the existing international financial institutions like IMF, World Bank and ADB. This can be done in phases and to start with, the arrangement can be a supplement to the existing operations of the West backed international financial institutions. But the process has to start and the setting up of the BRICS Bank New Development Bank as also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are good signs that the alternative financing mode has a place in the global system and this will be in the interests of the developing countries for their speedy infra development and this will expand the areas of infra cooperation among the BRICS nations also.NDB has already approved its investment projects for 2016 and India is going to get projects in the first lot. Apart, the NDB is cooperating with AIIB and this ensures a sort of synergy in operations to the benefit of the borrowing countries and this gives a competition to the existing financing agencies like World Bank and ADB.

The strategy for the BRICS Economic Partnership that was adopted at 2015 summit, is presently the key guideline for expanding trade and investment, manufacturing and minerals processing, energy, agriculture cooperation, science and technology, connectivity and financial cooperation between the BRICS members. As the present Chairman of BRICS, India must ensure that the member countries ministries take appropriate steps to implement the programmes mentioned in the Partnership and urgent steps are taken for corrective steps if there is some critical gaps. The Economic Partnership strategy has to be put into action by the joint efforts of NDB, BRICS Business Council, BRICS Think Tank Forums and InterBank Cooperation Mechanism. India has to give the lead in preparing a feasibility of developing a BRICS trade, economic and investment cooperation roadmap for the period upto 2020.

The issue of taking concrete measures for stepping up investment cooperation is very much on the agenda at Goa summit. Indian Government is preparing a list of priority projects for which investments could be sought from the other four members of the BRICS group. Investments will be sought for the projects, mostly in infrastructure sector from other member countries Brazil China, Russia and South Africa. At the last summit, Russia also submitted a list of 60 projects in oil and gas, coal, water resources, high tech manufacturing, mining, engineering, aviation, agriculture, transport & logistics, and information technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has innovative ideas on cooperation among the BRICS members. At the last summit, he mentioned of the scope for investments in India by the BRICS members in his pet Make in India programme. Now India wants to hold a trade fair and investors forum to promote the government's flagship schemes such as Make in India, Digital India, Smart City Project. Start Up India, Stand Up India and National Mission for Clean Ganga. Indian officials feel that there are immense opportunities for the four other BRICS members to be benefited by investing in these innovative projects in India.

Indian economy is now among the fastest economies in the world. Despite some problems, all other BRICS economies are also looking for new investment opportunities. India can really play a big role at BRICS summit by preparing a concrete roadmap for the maximum utilisation of the BRICs nations capabilities for their respective economic growth. At the global level, it is also an opportunity for New Delhi to raise its international role as a global and regional actor by steadfastly protecting the interests of the developing countries by fighting the western pressures and interests led by the USA.

Leading universities in member countries form 'BRICS Network University'

A group of universities from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have signed on to the BRICS Network University at a recent forum held at the Ural Federal University.

The first Rectors' Forum of the BRICS Network University was held at the Ural Federal University from April 6 to 9, at the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Education. Over 150 representatives of universities and Ministries of Education of Russia, India, China, Brazil and South Africa participated in this forum.

Representatives of the universities signed a protocol of accession to theBRICS Network University at the end of the forum.

Maxim Khomyakov, vice-rector for foreign affairs of the Ural Federal University, said the forum had three main aims. First, it was an opportunity for rectors and vice-rectors of the participating universities to get acquainted with each other. Second, the development of working plans to set up joint programmes in priority areas of knowledge, within the framework of international thematic groups. Third, holding the first meeting of the International Governing Council, which is coordinating this project.

Thematic priorities of the BRICS Network University have been identified as energy, information technologies and information security, research about BRICS countries, environmental and climate change, water pollution and neutralization of pollutants, and economics.

The international thematic groups were formed keeping these priorities in focus. Each group prepared a working plan for the establishment of joint programmes, which were then presented at the final plenary session of the forum.

The first joint summer and winter schools will be later created, exchange programmes between participating universities will be initiated, and then the universities plan to launch joint graduate and post-graduate programmes. Members of the international thematic groups plan to hold regular webinars and conferences to exchange ideas, materials and determine their next steps to move the project forward.

The BRICS Network University is a joint educational project aimed at creating a single educational space, encourage academic mobility, as well as provide the economies of member countries with highly qualified personnel in the fields of energy, economics, computer science, and ecology, among others.

The agreements to set up the BRICS Network University were signed by the Education Ministers from these five countries on November 5, 2013 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

BRICS to have a say in G20 policy making

The BRICS group has an established history of working with the G20, while using the forum as an opportunity to collaborate on issues of particular interest to its members.

Theoretically, the Group of Twenty (G20) meeting on Sept 4–5, 2016 in Hangzhou would focus on global governance; role in the global economy and gaining leverage through strategic partnerships but in reality it would be used as a forum by the USA and Obama administration to accomplish its unfinished agenda of Australian G20 summit of 2014 of bullying China and Russia.

It maybe recalled that in the earlier meeting of the BRICS, leaders exchanged views on the main topics on the G20 Summit agenda and agreed to pursue issues of mutual interest to the BRICS countries.

After two years though the global political and economic scenario has undergone major changes, the Obama administration has been marginalized at the global level, yet the USA views the summit as the best opportunity to take on China and Russia.

At Brisbane, Barrack Obama had sent a veiled warning to Beijing against bullying in the Asia-Pacific. He had also insisted Asia's security order must not be based on "coercion or intimidation where big nations bully the small, but on alliances for mutual security". USA wants China to be a "responsible actor" and "adhere to the same rules as other nations, whether in trade or on the seas", implying revival of American hegemony.

In fact the USA move to take India on its defence board and sign a military deal is primarily aimed at countering China in the region. With crisis deepening in Syria, Ukraine, Islamic State and Ebola one may hope that Obama administration would adopt a more pragmatic stance instead of putting the G20 at risk. One thing is quite explicit with USA hegemony on decline China and Russia would not like to succumb to the pressure tactics of Obama and the summit may witness a modification in its stand and resolutions.

Significantly, Chinese President Xi Jinping has already made that it will host the G20 summit with the theme of "promoting the innovative, dynamic, concerted and inclusive world economy." The G20 would transform from merely being a "fire brigade" for crisis management to a mechanism for policy coordination in finance, fiscal management and monetary measures.

The evolution of China-US relationship needs to be carefully watched. During the Cold War, the China-US relationship was built on a common strategy to Soviet. The Soviet threat was a unifying factor. However the new phase of China-US relationship features friction. More and more friction between China and US are visible on a number of issues like the South China Sea, cyber security, trade disputes, human rights and IPR. Ever since China emerged as the second largest economy in the world, US has been nursing a typical hostility towards it.

It is unlikely that the G20 summit would bring the two powers closer and resolve their differences. The dynamics of getting stronger and powerful has its own dimension. The USA now treats China as its enemy. There is lingering suspicion in the minds of the politicians of USA that a powerful China would eclipse it in the South East Asia.

The long-term cohesiveness of the BRICS has always been in question. However, BRICS is still important for China. Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei already defended the biggest result of BRICS cooperation: a Shanghai-based New Development Bank. No doubt BRICS matters for China when it is playing its role as a representative of emerging markets. At the last BRICS meeting of finance ministers and central bankers in Moscow in July, 2015, the five countries worked out details for the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement, a US$100 billion liquidity support scheme that could replace some functions of International Monetary Fund.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will focus on building "responsive, inclusive, collective solutions. It attaches the highest importance to BRICS. We are honoured to assume the Chairmanship of BRICS from February 1, 2016 and build on the great work done by other members. The New Development Bank, the Currency Reserve Arrangement, Strategy for BRICS Economic Cooperation – these are clear evidence of our vision and our resolve. Together, we can also give shape to G20". He stressed."We are pleased that China takes over the Presidency of G20 in December 2015."

There are growing differences between Russia and the US, as well as between China and the US, and in this background BRICS will play the role of an important global alternative to the so called global West. It is pertinent to point out that the United States and the "global West" get irritated by the positions of Russia, China and other BRICS countries, which often offer alternative solutions to the global problems. While the BRICS' members advocate dialogue and compromise the US harps on military force and coercion. Recently the USA had dispatched a group of American aircraft carriers from the US Navy's 7th Fleet to South China Sea with a clear aim of "checking China's ambition".

Moscow hosted a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Russia, India and China on April 18. This is the only format of communication of the three major Asian powers, with testy relationships in the past that does not include other region. Secondly, the format serves as an important stabilizer for the bilateral relations of the three countries, and finally the ambition to create political institutions that would serve the Asian Century would need to have these three countries at the helm. If the leaders of the three countries Russia, India and China want to have their independent say in G20 and make BRICS work in a more meaningful manner, they must energise and empower the RIC.

The first time BRICS mentioned the G20 was before the G20 leaders' first meeting in Washington.

Since then, all declarations made by the BRICS leaders have stressed their support for the G20 and its key role in generating strong, sustainable and balanced growth.Expressing support for China's presidency of the G20 in 2016, BRICS promised to work closely with all members, and consolidate the G20's role as the premier forum for global financial and economic cooperation.

BRICS cooperation with and within the G20 – aimed at attaining shared goals and coordinating on the G20 agenda – are the two primary aspects of the relationship between BRICS and the G20.

China, India explore ways for BRICS cooperation in space

Chinese and Indian space scientists will begin cooperation in the field of aerospace, Deputy Administrator for the Chinese National Space Agency Wu Yanhua said.

The decision of China and India to work together on a joint system of satellites would allow the members of BRICS to be more independent and implement more complex engineering projects in space without having to depend on US technology, Russian military expert Vasiliy Kashin told Sputnik in an interview.

A few days ago during his visit to India, Wu Yanhua, Deputy Administrator for the Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA), said Chinese and Indian space scientists would begin cooperation in the field of aerospace.

This announcement also comes amidst the plan of all BRICS members to have their own satellite system to avoid becoming dependent from US technology and equipment in space.

"Any form of technological dependence from the United States is a serious risk, both political and commercial. BRICS nations should use each other's scientific and technological potential at maximum," Kashin told Sputnik.

The fact that China and India decided to work together is a big deal, especially considering that until recently the two were rivals when it came to space.

According to Kashin, China might be a bit more advanced in space, but India "has its own distinct advantages." For example, China has more powerful missile-carriers and more experience in developing spacecraft. India, on the other hand, is better at developing space-related software and electronic components.

It's important for BRICS to develop their own technology, as Washington has sought to hinder the development of high-tech companies in developing countries using various barriers, including sanctions, Kashin explained. In the past, the US government put sanctions against some Chinese high-tech companies accusing them of having connections with Iran.

Meanwhile, Russia is currently working to start supplying rocket engines for future Chinese space launch programs. China, in turn, will provide electronic components for Russian satellites. The two countries also agreed to synchronize their satellite navigation system, GLONASS and Beidou, Kashin informed.

At the BRICS Summit in July in Ufa, Russia, heads of state and government from the five member states of this bloc agreed to "actively engage in the joint application of space technologies, satellite navigation, including GLONASS and BeiDou, as well as the latest achievements in space science." A look at what lies behind this decision, and what the prospects are for such cooperation.

If the bloc wants to make waves in the space sector, it will need some visible and significant projects. However, the creation of a joint international space station is out of the question, feels Moiseyev. He recalled that until 2025, Russia would be focusing on the ISS, and China has plans to develop its own small space station by 2024.

Goa geared to host BRICS summit in October

Goa government is putting in place required infrastructure and making arrangements for the eighth annual summit of BRICS, a bloc of five emerging economies, to be held in the coastal state in October.

Over 8,000 delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) are expected to take part in the mega event to be held from October 15-16. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as chair of the influential bloc.

"BRICS summit will be held in Goa in October and we are building all the required infrastructure for it. Over 8,000 delegates from the five member-countries are expected to participate in it," Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said.

He was speaking to mediapersons after presiding over a meeting with the secretaries and senior officers, held to take stock of preparations for the event.

"This will be a high-profile international event with VVIPs attending it. Therefore, we need to be well prepared for providing them best facilities and comfort," he said.

"We want to create infrastructure that can be maintained and used even after the event is over. We still have three more months to go for the summit," Parsekar said.

BRICS member-countries account for 42 per cent of the world population and have a combined GDP of over USD 16 trillion.

Brazil's political crisis a big test to BRICS, says China

Brazil's interim President Michel Temer's major policy shift has posed a test to the capability of BRICS as the new government has relegated cooperation with the five-nation bloc to "secondary place", Chinese state media said.

Outlining China's thinking towards the political crisis leading to the ouster of President Dilma Roussef, who was suspended from office pending her impeachment trial, a Xinhua news agency's commentary quoted analysts as saying that Brazil's interim government is likely to put its cooperation with other BRICS countries - Russia, India, China and South Africa - in a secondary place.

Whether the BRICS countries stand united and whether their cooperation mechanism functions smoothly will be crucial for the development of the bloc, the commentary said.

Brazil always valued its cooperative relations with other BRICS countries after the birth of the bloc in 2009. However, the political developments since the suspension of Rousseff are resulting in readjustment of its foreign policies.

Interim Foreign Minister Jose Serra outlined new priorities in foreign policies, saying Brazil would instead put emphasis on bilateral ties with Argentina and Mexico and, meanwhile, make it a priority to restore the "traditional partnerships" with the US, Europe and Japan, it said.

On cooperation with other BRICS countries, Serra said Brazil will seize opportunities brought about by this mechanism with an eye to enhancing trade and investment cooperation among its members.

A subtle difference was noticed from the terms frequently used by Rousseff such as "strategic cooperation" and "diplomatic priorities", the commentary said.

Amid the volatile political situation in Brazil, the fate of Rousseff remains to be seen before the last two rounds of vote at the Senate.

Zhou Zhiwei, Executive Director of the Brazil Research Centre, a unit of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that no matter what the final result is, the fermenting political crisis could lead to a "backtrack" in the foreign policy of Brazil and affect its dedication to the BRICS mechanism in the short term.

The term BRIC, coined by Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jim O'Neill in 2001, refers to the grouping of the four fast- growing emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

In 2006, Goldman set up the BRIC Fund, which generated fairly good returns for its investors in the first few years.

However, with sharp declines in prices of commodities since 2013, BRICS experienced a slowdown in economic growth.

Brazil and Russia even registered negative economic growths.

In November last year, the BRIC Fund was finally closed, the report said.

"Western media see the closure as a sign of BRICS on the decline, and some even started to talk about the "death of BRICS" and the potential collapse of the cooperative mechanism among the bloc members," the report said.

The unfavourable external environment might be an incentive for the members of the bloc to boost their cooperation, Zhou, holding a different point of view, said.

"The fundamental strengths of BRICS, such as the market and population mass, won't go away for the cyclical downturns of some BRICS members. They still will shine in future economic development," Zhou said.

"Since the creation of the BRICS summit, the bloc has been more than just an economic concept. It is a platform for the emerging economies to exert their influence on the global economic arena," Director of the Centre for BRICS Studies at Fudan University Shen Yi said.

In July 2014, BRICS leaders unveiled plans to establish the New Development Bank (NDB) and a contingent reserve arrangement (CRA). A year later, the NDB was formally established, headquartered in Shanghai.

The move, aimed at boosting the independence of developing economies, has been viewed by Western media as an attempt to challenge the existing international financial framework dominated by developed economies.

In a sign of its efficiency, the NDB announced in April that it will provide USD 811 million financing for four renewable energy projects in Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

In the wake of Rousseff's suspension from office, it is possible for Brazil to backtrack in its foreign policy, Zhou said as he suggested that the BRICS countries strengthen their economic ties and optimise the NCB and CRA mechanisms so as to avoid their cooperation being affected by the potential spillover from domestic political changes.

It is important for the BRICS members to meet on the sidelines of multilateral conferences to coordinate their policies, Zhou said.

The BRICS countries can further their cooperation in market access, foreign reserves and counter-cyclical long-term loans, Shen said, adding that China could play a leading role in prompting BRICS members to strengthen their cooperation mechanism in face of crises.

"In this way, BRICS could evolve into a more closely knit community underpinned by common interests and have more say in global economic governance," Shen added.

BRICS Employment Working Group to meet in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, July 26:

The first-ever meeting of BRICS Employment Working Group (BEWG) to shape the agenda for labour and employment track in the five-nation grouping will be held here from July 27.

The two-day conclave is essentially a meeting of senior officials from the BRICS member states, an official release said today.

Bandaru Dattaraya, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, will also address the meeting hosted by India.

During the meeting, there would be sessions on finalisation of BRICS Employment Working Group, presentation by ILO on 'Employment Generation for Inclusive Growth', a presentation by India on possible social security agreements amongst the member nations and a discussion on draft BRICS Ministerial Declaration, the release said.

It is a prelude to the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting scheduled on September 27-28 at Agra.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa are the BRICS countries comprising 43 per cent of the world population, 37 per cent of the global GDP and 17 per cent share in the international trade.

So far, seven BRICS summits have taken place and the 8th one will be hosted by India in Goa on October 15-16. The theme of India's BRICS chairmanship is "Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions".

BRICS countries must colloborate for developing smart cities

Jaipur:

BRICS countries can cooperate mutually for the development of smart cities and other infrastructure and the nations can learn from each other, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said today.

In a keynote address at BRICS Smart Cities Conference here, Raje said that innovative urban environmental management practices made in Saint Petersburg in Russia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Shanghai and Beijing in China could be implemented in India keeping in view the conditions here.

"Member countries of BRICS can learn many things from each other. The collaborations within BRICS shall strengthen ties and improve our appreciation of each other''s cultures and peoples," she said.

The Chief Minister said that exchange of experiences and the sharing of solutions among urban development managers and scholars shall surely help in making our cities better, safer and more resilient.

"Growth of population in urban settlements is posing many challenges. It has placed additional loads on the infrastructure in every city. Our thinking is that cities of tomorrow require technology-driven inputs to make life of our citizens easier and safer," she said at the conference ahead of the BRICS Women''s Parliamentarian Forum meeting to be held tomorrow.

The Chief Minister said smart cities are of little use without smart citizens.

"To make our citizens smart and skilled, our government has taken skill development as a top most priority. We have engaged with numerous partners in skilling up our youth in a wide range of trades. ITIs have been taken up by industrial houses to impart skills and all our industry partners are collaborators in creating job and imparting world class training to our youth," she said.

Raje informed with support from the government of India, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur are being developed as smart cities.

Plea for making BRICS Young Diplomats Forum annual event

Kolkata, Sept 7:

Participation and exchange of young diplomats in various professional courses conducted by Foreign Services Institutes of BRICS countries should be encouraged, the second BRICS Young Diplomats Forum has recommended.

During the four-day forum held in the city, it was also recommended that the meeting should be made an annual event "in order to provide opportunities to young diplomats to foster excellent long-term functional relationships among BRICS nations"

The forum has also recognised the importance of digital technology and supported the use of joint official future digital platforms as tools for exchange of information and interaction.

"Youth exchange programmes must be supported in academia sports, science and technology as well as business. Regular interaction of young scholars and researchers working in the field of international relations and its various dimensions should be encouraged," members of the BRICS Forum told reporters here today.

The Forum called upon the Diplomatic Training Institutes of BRICS nations to conduct foreign policy modules for the BRICS young diplomats to encourage better understanding of policies and cultural diversities, they said.

The Forum also welcomed the possible signing of a framework agreement between Diplomatic Academies of BRICS nations for sharing of expertise and experience.

"The signing would provide a platform for corporation between the Diplomatic Academies in an institutional manner and interaction among young diplomats," they stated.

Besides meeting senior ministers of the state government, the young diplomats participated in various programmes and met Speaker of the state Assembly.

India will host the two-day 8th Annual BRICS summit from October 15 in Goa with the participation of the heads of state or heads of government of the five-member states.

BRICS charts strategy for greater agriculture cooperation

New Delhi, Sept 29:

Agriculture ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Arica) unanimously agreed to establish an Agricultural Research Centre to develop and share models for sustainable agriculture, at their 6th meeting in New Delhi recently. Indian Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, who presided over the two-day meeting, said member- countries would soon sign a MoU to set up the Centre, most likely in India.

Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi, Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Yevgeny Gromyko, Chinese Agriculture Minister Qui Dongyu and South African Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana led their respective delegations at the meeting, prior to the 8th BRICS summit to be held on October15-16, in Goa.

The BRICS Agriculture Ministers plan to sign the MoU to set up the Centre at the Summit in Goa. The Centre will be established in the period 2016-21.

The Centre is envisaged as a virtual facility to promote food security, sustainable agri-development and poverty alleviation through strategic cooperation in agriculture within the BRICS countries. It aims to work on agriculture science, policy research and development extension, technology transfer, training and capacity building and scientific information sharing. It will also act as a forum for academicians, scholars, researchers and students for agricultural advancement, in the BRICS, viewed as the five major emerging economies of the world. BRICS countries account for 45 percent of the global agricultural output.

India hosted the two-day ministerial meeting for the first time. It started with a meeting of high-level officials of the BRICS countries recently, followed by the ministerial meeting the next day.

Addressing the meeting, Russian Minister Gromyko said BRICS countries have vast resource base, large domestic market and rich natural resources.

"Our countries are key suppliers of agricultural products to the world market. In this regard, there is a great opportunities for mutual cooperation and Russia is ready to contribute in this work," he said.

The five priority areas of cooperation in the BRICS Action Plan for 2012-16, were at the top of agenda of the Agriculture Ministers meeting.

"We are satisfied with the implementation of the action plan for 2012-16. We have already identified the priority areas to be incorporated in the action plan for the next five years," Singh told reporters after the ministerial meeting.

Under the current action plan, sources said, in addition to India working on setting up a virtual research platform, Russia is preparing a document on international trade and investment. China has been working on establishing an agri-database of BRICS countries, Brazil on food security to most vulnerable people and South Africa on developing a strategy on climate change.

In a joint statement issued at the end of their meeting, the emphasis was on boosting agri-investments in both public and private sectors, the need to protect small farmers, investments in water infrastructure, use of IT and communication technology, climate resilient agriculture, among others.

The Agriculture Ministers also agreed to declare year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses in accordance with the declaration made by the UN General Assembly. They also decided to promote production of pulses in their respective countries and raise awareness about its nutritional aspects, the joint statement said.

Facing a serious shortage of pulses and oilseeds, India urged the BRICS to help meet the domestic demand in pulses and oilseeds.

"India would like to seek cooperation from BRICS member-countries in helping to meet our production shortfall in crops like pulses and oilseeds," Singh said in his address at the meeting.

"All must work together to enhance trade among our countries by resolving market access issues through institutional mechanisms," Singh said. Innovative working models must be developed, like contract farming and leasing of surplus land, he stressed.

India is heavily dependent on import of pulses to meet the shortage in domestic production. As a result of better monsoon rains and a higher minimum support price, the production of pulses is estimated to increase to 20 million tons in 2016-17, but the production is still lower than domestic demand of 23-24 million tons.

Singh met his South African counterpart Senzeni Zokwana on the sidelines of BRICS agriculture meeting and requested him to expedite the MoU to be signed for the import of pulses.

The BRICS Agriculture Ministers meeting also approved the scrapping of agri-export subsidies as agreed at WTO's ministerial meeting in Nairobi and resolved to work for safety and long-term agri-trade.

It recognized the importance of the conclusion of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) ratification process for perishable food trade. The meeting also agreed to consolidate the scientific principles in sanitary and phyto-sanitary discussions in order to provide safety and predictability to agricultural trade.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh at the 6th BRICS Agriculture and Agrarian Development Ministers' Meeting

Major events to boost ties among BRICS nations

New Delhi, Oct 4: The 5-nation BRICS group will hold 3 major events here this month, including a trade fair and a business forum meeting, to deepen economic engagement, the Commerce Ministry said today.

The programmes planned in the national capital are 3-day BRICS trade fair from October 13; BRICS Business Forum and BRICS Business Council meetings on October 13 and 14.

A major agenda of the grouping – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – is to reform the global governance architecture which is yet to reflect the changing global scenario where the emerging economies are playing a larger role, the ministry said in a statement.

Another agenda for the BRICS economies is to work with the international community in keeping the multilateral trading system stable, it said.

"Even as BRICS nations work together towards achieving these objectives, there is a need felt for measures to be taken to deepen intra-BRICS economic engagement, trade and investment ties," it said.

Intra-BRICS trade increased to USD 297 billion in 2014 from USD 281.4 billion in 2012.

Globally, merchandise imports from the world into the BRICS countries have gone up from USD 2.95 trillion in 2012 to USD 3.03 trillion in 2014.

Likewise, the global merchandise exports of the BRICS countries have gone up from USD 3.2 trillion in 2012 to USD 3.47 trillion in 2014.

"This encouraging trend needs to be strengthened as trade amongst BRICS nations is less than 5 per cent of their total global trade," the statement said.

Elaborating on the events, it said the first BRICS trade fair and exhibition will be staged just ahead of the BRICS political summit in Goa on October 15.

The focus of the fair is, 'Building BRICS – Innovation for Collaboration'.

The fair will showcase about 20 key sectors including aerospace, agro-processing, auto, chemicals, green energy, healthcare and pharma, railways, textiles, infrastructure, IT, tourism, gems and jewellery.

It will be a platform for BRICS countries to exhibit the state-of-the-art technologies and advances made in industrial development.

"The idea is to help technology solution providers from BRICS countries to share knowledge and expertise in dealing with the common development challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, energy efficiency, waste management and urbanization management," it said.

Besides, business leaders from BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand) have been invited for meetings and discussions with the BRICS business leaders and companies at the fair.

Further, participation from over 1,000 business delegates from all BRICS countries is expected in the day long business forum meet.

The vice president of New Development Bank and the senior team will join this forum and share ideas on how the private sector can support its efforts to promote sustainable development projects across BRICS countries.

BRICS Business Council will hold focused seminars and workshops concurrent with the fair. The seven working groups in the areas of infrastructure, manufacturing, financial services, energy, skills development, agribusiness and deregulation that have been formed under the aegis of the Council will engage to better understand the market opportunities and build synergies.

"Through the various programmes that will be held, it is expected that many suggestions would emerge to take forward and implement the action plan contained in the BRICS strategy for economic partnership," the commerce ministry said.

BRICS countries have every reason to stand together

Despite doubts about its sustainability and performance, the BRICS mechanism has become a leader of developing countries, and close cooperation within the five-nation bloc will grant emerging economies a bigger say in global affairs.

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis that hit most economies, the five members, namely Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa, are faced with certain difficulties such as imbalanced development, due to the lackluster global growth. But that does not justify the West's questioning the effectiveness of the transcontinental group, which actually stems from the advanced economies' concerns about the rise of these emerging economies.

The truth is that over the past decade or so, BRICS has become a mature, versatile platform for multinational cooperation among the five developing countries, which have outrun the West in terms of total GDP and are reshaping the geopolitical and global economic order.

Home to about 42 percent of the global population, 21 percent of the world's GDP, and nearly half of the world's foreign reserves, BRICS is now a major economic engine that has contributed over half of the global growth in the past decade and is playing an ever greater role in global governance.

However, BRICS is not aimed at destroying or replacing the global governance system led by the West, rather it looks to optimize it and make it more inclusive. The regular meetings among BRICS leaders, be they official or casual, do not just deepen the economic and financial cooperation within the bloc, they also raise the voice of all emerging economies in international affairs.

The BRICS New Development Bank, for example, has great potential to provide more financing options for BRICS members and better protect their currencies from financial shocks. The green bonds it issued this year are another example of the BRICS mechanism's efficiency and determination to reduce poverty worldwide.

To a point, what drives the five BRICS nations to stand together is Washington's overseas security strategy, which is not happy about the major powers in a region taking control of regional affairs. As regional leaders and emerging economies, the BRICS countries have every reason to support each other in the global political arena.

Since they have different cultures, economic conditions, and national interests, they have to be careful in their bilateral and multilateral exchanges. China, for instance, has several strategic options to make sure the bloc works despite the differences that exist among its members.

The first is unity. That the five states stick to agreed arrangements under the BRICS framework and hold regular leadership meetings, so they can demonstrate their political resolutions, stances, and appeals in a way that the West might feel obliged to take seriously.

The second is utilitarianism. Although their primary concerns and interests can vary, or even clash, the BRICS members are better together than apart. The rise of China in recent years is reshaping the geopolitical situation in Asia, and may exert unwanted influences on its partnerships with Russia and India in terms of border disputes. The existence of the BRICS is conducive to keeping unnecessary troubles at bay.

Pragmatism is also needed to maintain unity. It is justifiable and understandable for China to aid major regional powers in need of support. BRICS can and should be a viable platform that balances the global governance and gives developing economies more say.

Vibrant and emerging as it is, BRICS does have its problems. The vastly different social systems and cultures of the five member states is a big challenge for starters. The growth of BRICS largely depends on the leaders' political will, which has made the annual leadership summits and the establishment of the BRICS New Development Bank possible. Yet, it needs more institutional efforts and tangible gains to be sustainable.

Besides, the BRICS members are yet to make the most of their cooperation with regard the Belt and Road Initiative. That India shows little interest in participating in the Beijing-proposed Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, is a case in point. The China-Pakistan economic corridor also needs India's full cooperation to take effect.

Therefore, it has to be made clear what kind of role the BRICS is playing and should play in global governance. It cannot be a marriage of convenience that does not last for long. Closer connections are needed between BRICS cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, and the five members need to expand cooperation with more countries along the routes of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is shared interests, values and overcoming challenges together that can form a fruitful partnership.

For the BRICS countries, a few speed bumps should be faced and dealt with carefully. The bloc's contribution to global growth is declining, with Russia and Brazil suffering from negative growth and China undergoing economic transitions. Brazil has just witnessed tumultuous political transitions in which former President Dilma Rousseff was removed from office in August, while South Africa and Russia have their own domestic problems.

Questions about BRICS's legitimacy and its future are on the rise given the member states' declining economic performance and a slew of differences ranging from political systems to certain geopolitical disputes. Trade exchanges within the group are still largely confined to bilateral, not multilateral interactions.

However, the bloc still means a lot to China and other members too. The China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership would not be possible if it was not for their BRICS ties. The multinational mechanism is also of great political, symbolic importance to developing countries, and its presence featuring leadership meetings is already a success for China's diplomacy.

Implementing their cooperative deals should be a top priority for the five nations. For that to happen, they need to re-brand the bloc as a club for emerging economies, boost trade exchanges, and seek more reciprocal deals like visa-free policy and judicial cooperation.

BRICS Press Club Network inaugurated

New Delhi, Nov 4:

Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary, Amar Sinha said BRICS should not be seen from the prism of an "Opposition forum" rather it should be construed as a collective body of five emerging countries desiring to contribute to the changing global economic, social and political order.

Addressing an august gathering of dignitaries and mediapersons at a seminar on "BRICS: Consolidating a decade of gains and the way ahead and inauguration of BRICS Press Club Network" he said,'' India hosted the eighth BRICS summit at Goa last month and there were many positives out of the summit. BRICS has become a formidable grouping of immense importance. It has brought paradigm shift in global thinking. This seminar today is taking place in the backdrop of three distinct developments-BRICS India global summit, BRICS India press meet and the main BRICS summit.

BRICS has assumed global significance over the last decade since its first summit was held in 2009 arising out of financial crisis of 2008.

Now BRICS is being taken note of. It is engaged in promoting solidarity among the member nations. A need was felt that they could contribute to the global challenges. There is achievement in coming together and it 's a new voice as it focuses on democratisation of forces and multi-polarity , '' Mr Sinha said.Highlighting the salient features of the summit, Mr Sinha said,'' There were two major achievements of the summit-- first one was the functioning of the new Development Bank-- BRICS Bank first report was submitted by economist Kamath.The main aim of the bank would be revival of economic growth in BRICS nations.

In this direction, BRICS council meeting was held where it was discussed to augment the trade between the member nations from current 300 million dollars. Second major achievement was signing of '' Custom cooperation MoU" to promote trade and commerce and exchange of capital and information among the participating countries in a more efficient and smoother manner.

''BRICS member countries can impact the happenings globally in many ways as they are part of G20 grouping as well or rather they can "supplement" globally. The five economically evolving nations are part of ''global taxation body''', can deal with corruption issues internally and at international level and can handle issues of money gone from developing nations to the developed world,'' he noted.Outlining the major achievement of BRICS,' Mr Sinha said,'' One clear achievement at the BRICS summit at Goa was that non-member countries were not allowed to cast a shadow on deliberations of the issues of the countries part of the grouping.

Adding brick blocks to strengthen BRICS

V.V.S.Manian, Member, BRICS GEN, Chennai

Against the backdrop of the ongoing growth of geopolitical risks and challenges in the world, we are increasingly aware that the old architecture of the world order is gradually disappearing, and a new configuration of international relations and regional blocs is replacing it. The countries of the "Global South" have created their own international institutions, regional integration associations, financial settlement systems, and implement their own regional infrastructure projects so that they are not completely dependent on the international financial institutions of the West. Among the leading countries participating in the process of transformation of the world economy are the largest emerging markets, primarily the BRICS countries. “Seymur Mammadov.

The first meeting of the group began in St .Petersburg in 2005. It was called RIC, which stood for Russia, India and China. Then Brazil and South Africa joined the group and it is now referred to as BRICS. “The BRICS countries collectively represent around 26 percent of the world’s area and are the home of 2.88 billion people, representing about 42 percent of the world’s population. Now in its mission to become stronger globally, it plans to add Argentina, Turkey, Indonesia and a few countries from Africa. It is a good proposal which will be value addition to the existing set up. Meanwhile, there are crucial issues that have to be thrashed out in the 14th Summit to be held on 23rd June, which will be held via video link. The theme of the summit is “Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era.” Modi, Putin and Xi Jinping will break their heads in the brain storming summit to find some solutions to the issues that are breaking the world’s peace atmosphere.

This the first BRICS Summit after the Russia –Ukraine war. Russia is currently under severe economic sanction by the west led by the US. The summit is being held against the back drop of calls, mainly by China and Russia, to expand the grouping. It is evident that this move is to strengthen China and Russia in the prevalent state of tension and uncertainty. India’s stand in this scenario is clear. It gives importance to “all meetings of BRICS mechanisms and believe in giving support for its aspirations of developing countries and fosters multilateralism.” But India may not back the expansion of BRICS as new members may sing chorus for China. Moscow would love to give the “the entrance ticket” as it sees this as a value addition and an advantage to both China and Russia.

BRICS virtual meeting is being held virtually at a very uncomfortable time for the members in view of the prevailing domestic disturbance and turmoil. Most leaders attending the BRICS summit have their own pressing domestic challenges erupting out of policies on one hand and impact of ongoing pandemic (not fully over) and political fallouts like rising prices of wheat and crude oil. “The pandemic has seen China and India engaged in supplying health care to the Global South and also providing humanitarian assistance to countries like Ukraine and Sri Lanka. It is a reality that all countries of BRICS are facing severe economic challenges that need to be addressed urgently and evolve a consensus plan convenient, crisis free that will add credibility and strength to the members as there are conflicting interests between members in view of trade and war impact on domestic economy.

Bleak present and bright future

It appears that at this stage, BRICS needs to expand and consolidate. It should expand because it is still under-represented in the global financial architecture. The situation today is that Europe and US dominate the financial institutions like IMF and World Bank and a few others. Russia and others in BRICS would very much love to see a large power center emerge to offer a better alternative to the Western dominated structure. The world is now engulfed in uncertainty due to the never ending conflict between Russia and Ukraine and a pandemic that is not dying down plus economic crisis syndrome that is cyclically showing on and off. In this odd situation, BRICS can show that its members and relation between them are an alternative to the format of the existing west. If this is a goal, then expansion is one of the best options to consolidate and move forward. Perhaps BRICS would include Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, Egypt and Iran if they are willing to toe the line of BRICS value and foreign policy principles. It is not an easy task but necessary in the long term goal for BRICS as alternative to west dominance. “In view of these being unusual times, modest expectations like the BRICS Summit consolidating its extant initiatives and launching negotiations to build consensus on criteria for adding new members and other future initiatives should suffice” said Swaran Singh, Fellow of Canadian Global Affairs institute.

Today, the challenge for the BRICS countries is to take action to promote peace and development, uphold fairness and justice and advocate democracy and freedom so that world situation is stabilized and international understanding and peace could be restored fast in the period of turbulence. Expansion might add to this goal.