BRICS High Representatives for Security Affairs Meeting Held in New Delhi

Summary

On 23 June 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, attended the BRICS High Representatives for Security Affairs Meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. High representatives exchanged views on countering non-traditional security challenges, counter-terrorism, and cyber security. Wang Yi put forward four proposals: uphold international order with BRICS responsibility, resolve security dilemmas with BRICS consensus, address global challenges with BRICS action, and improve governance in emerging fields with BRICS wisdom.

He emphasised that BRICS countries should uphold multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and elevate the status of the Global South in international affairs. All parties highly commended the BRICS cooperation mechanism and agreed to cooperate in addressing security challenges and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South. Wang Yi also attended a collective meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held bilateral meetings with representatives from India, Russia, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and others.

China confirmed it will assume the rotating presidency of BRICS next year and expressed willingness to implement the four major initiatives on global development, security, civilisation, and governance.

Commentary

Although this BRICS security meeting did not directly involve New Zealand, it reveals China's intention to take a leading role in global multilateral governance. If China uses the BRICS mechanism to promote trade facilitation and supply chain diversification, NZ exporters may indirectly benefit from a more stable international rule environment. On the other hand, stronger internal cooperation among BRICS nations could divert China's attention from some developed markets.

NZ needs to monitor whether competition from BRICS producers, such as Brazil, intensifies in sectors like agriculture and dairy. Additionally, the meeting's focus on cyber security and non-traditional security reminds NZ businesses to strengthen data compliance and supply chain risk planning. SME owners are advised to closely track potential cooperation policies under China-led BRICS frameworks, especially those involving trade settlement and standards mutual recognition, in order to adjust market strategies in advance.

Keywords: BRICS, security affairs, Wang Yi, New Delhi, multilateralism, Global South, counter-terrorism, cyber security, non-traditional security challenges, rotating presidency

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand