Ronald Lamola in India for BRICS
TDS – 13 May 2026
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting taking place on 14 and 15 May under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship.
The meeting is being hosted by India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and forms part of preparations for the BRICS Leaders’ Summit later this year.
India has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)” for its 2026 chairship. The agenda reflects what Indian officials have described as a “humanity-first” approach focused on strengthening multilateralism, sustainable development and cooperation among emerging economies.
According to the South African government, BRICS foreign ministers are expected to deliberate on global governance reform, inclusive development and efforts to promote peaceful resolutions to conflicts in different parts of the world, including the Middle East.
Minister Lamola said South Africa’s participation is aimed at contributing towards “a global architecture that is as sustainable as it is equitable” through cooperation among BRICS member states, partner countries and international partners.
South Africa also reiterated its focus on three priorities within BRICS cooperation:
• Equity and Inclusivity: Promoting a balanced international order that upholds the sovereign interests of all states, fostering a more just global community.
• The Modernisation of Global Governance: Championing the reform of international political and financial institutions to ensure that they remain representative of the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
• The Synthesis of African and Global Progress: Ensuring that the priorities of the African continent are seamlessly integrated into the BRICS framework, under the guiding philosophy of “Better Africa, Better World.”
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, which analysts expect to feature prominently during discussions in New Delhi. Reports indicate that BRICS members are seeking consensus on calls for de-escalation and peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts.
Expected outcomes from the meeting include efforts to adopt a joint statement, discussions on reforming global governance institutions, strengthening cooperation among Global South countries, and shaping the agenda ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit scheduled for later this year in India.
