BRICS Sherpas all praise for India's pandemic efforts

India’s efforts were widely welcomed at the third BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas' meeting this week, where the country was praised for its success in advancing cooperation despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting was convened under India's chairmanship on September 7 and chaired by Secretary and India's BRICS Sherpa Sanjay Bhattacharyya.

The Sherpas discussed the deliverables of the Summit, including the New Delhi Declaration. They adopted the revised BRICS terms of reference that will guide the engagement of the grouping made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The discussions took place in a constructive and cordial atmosphere, according to a statement released by Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

BRICS Sherpas reviewed preparations for the 13th BRICS Summit, to be held on September 9 in a virtual format under the Chairship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Brazil Sherpa Ambassador Sarquis J.B. Sarquis, Russia Sherpa Ambassador Sergei Ryabkov, China Sherpa Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu and South Africa Sherpa Ambassador Anil Sooklal led their respective delegations for the meeting.

It will be the third time that India will be hosting the BRICS Summit after 2012 and 2016. As BRICS celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, the theme for India as Chair is 'BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus'.

(ANI)