by Xinhua writer Hu Xiaoming
NEW DELHI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming BRICS summit is expected to inject more strength into global development, and make a stronger call for upholding the common interests of the world, especially those of developing countries, a former Indian diplomat has said.
"There will be much expectation for the forthcoming BRICS summit" as today's world is witnessing "increasing factors" of instability and uncertainty, Vijay Nambiar, former Indian ambassador to China, told Xinhua in a written interview.
BRICS countries have been striving to balance global development in the interests of developing countries, Nambiar noted, adding that institutions like the New Development Bank have already begun to have a significant impact in their respective spheres.
Nambiar said India shares close economic and cultural ties with its BRICS partners, and attaches great importance to BRICS as a platform for coordination, consultation and cooperation.
"Over the years, India has proposed important initiatives in order to strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation," covering such areas as online education, healthcare, small and medium-sized enterprises cooperation, tourism, youth exchanges and disaster management, he said, adding that several BRICS-themed events and meetings will be held in India this year.
"With the advent of COVID-19, there has been a marked aggravation of poverty around the world, especially in South Asia, and this has added urgency to global efforts to address these multifaceted challenges," Nambiar said.
He said the China-proposed Global Development Initiative caters to urgent global priorities of poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response, development financing, climate change and green development, among others.
"It is of great significance that BRICS countries through their meetings try to reach consensuses on a wide spectrum of important issues confronting the world," he added. ■
