BRICS nations discuss foreign policy planning

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) BRICS nations discussed foreign policy planning and assessment between member states as a two-day BRICS Policy Planning meeting concluded in Patna on Tuesday.

“There were fruitful exchanges on strategic assessments of international situation and the regional situation of each country and trends therein, going beyond immediate issues of quotidian diplomacy,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement here.

“The delegations also discussed the role of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) in international governance, ongoing cooperation at BRICS Forum and reflected on areas of convergence among BRICS,” it stated.

“This dialogue gave an opportunity for sharing of best practices in foreign policy planning and assessment between the BRICS countries.”

According to the statement, the discussions held in Patna would contribute towards India’s objective as Chair of BRICS for 2016 to further consolidate intra-BRICS cooperation by adopting a five-pronged approach: institution building to further deepen and sustain BRICS cooperation; implementation of the decisions of previous Summits including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcements at the Fortaleza (Brazil) and Ufa (Russia) summits; integrating synergies among the existing cooperation mechanisms; new cooperation mechanisms; and continuation of mutually agreed existing BRICS cooperation mechanisms.