China, other BRICS nations offer help to COVID battling India

Addressing the BRICS 2021 foreign minister's meeting, Chinese state councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday expressed solidarity with India as the country battles against the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. He further promised that all BRICS partners are ready to support and assist India "as long as it is needed".

"The Ministers expressed grave concern over the continuing public health, societal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. They expressed condolences for lives lost and pledged solidarity with the affected families," said a statement issued after the meeting.

Chairing the virtual meeting, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar, recollected the journey various foreign ministers have undertaken under BRICS, as the organisation completes its 15th year of existence in 2021.

The foreign ministers' meeting was attended by Brazil's Carlos Alberto Franco Franca, Russia's Sergey Lavrov, and South Africa's Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor.

The BRICS is a bloc of major emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.