BRICS foreign ministers to hold video-conference to brainstorm response on COVID-19

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is all set to join his counterparts from BRICS nations in an joint video-conference on Tuesday to brainstorm ways in which countries can cooperate to tackle COVID-19 pandemic. BRICS countries include--Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. video conference will be hosted by Russia which is current rotating he of BRICS and will be chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

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video conference of BRICS will also focus on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international relations, as well as possible joint measures in fight against highly dangerous and fast-spreing contagion, according to Russia's Sputnik news agency.

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NDB Should Enhance Emergency Facility 

Last week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman h asked New Development Bank (NDB) to enhance emergency facility to USD 10 billion to combat Coronavirus pandemic. FM Sitharaman participated in 5th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of NDB through video-conference. NDB was established by BRICS countries in 2014. 

"On discussion of COVID-19, FM appreciated NDB's effort on fast-tracking of financial assistance of about USD 5 billion to BRICS countries including Emergency Assistance of USD 1 billion India to combat COVID-19 pandemic. She also suggested that assistance under this Facility to be enhanced to USD 10 Billion," an official statement quoted Sitharaman.

(With Agency Inputs)

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