Several world leaders and diplomats extended their greetings on the occasion of Diwali, highlighting the message of peace and the triumph of good over evil.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned at the UN General Assembly that repeated attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea, Red Sea and Gulf are indefensible, highlighting a joint India‑Liberia initiative on maritime safety. He called the growing threat a serious concern for seafarers and global trade.
UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres endorsed the Global South’s call to expand the UN Security Council at the BRICS summit, highlighting India’s leading role in the demand. The statement was part of a broader push by BRICS leaders for comprehensive UN reform to reflect today’s geopolitical realities.
BRICS finance leaders and India’s commerce minister urged the bloc to adopt pragmatic, low‑cost cross‑border payment systems and increase trade in local currencies, highlighting India’s UPI platform. Meetings in Jaipur and Mumbai produced a joint statement calling for practical solutions and continued work by the BRICS Payment Task Force.
