Shimla, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Himachal Pradesh’s Minister for Public Works and Urban Development, Vikramaditya Singh, hailed the BRICS summit as a moment of pride for India. Speaking ahead of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, he emphasized that this event transcends party lines and is a matter of national interest, which the Congress party wholeheartedly supports.
Singh noted, “BRICS is a coalition of several nations, and India plays a crucial role within it. Currently, India is at the helm, hosting this significant international meeting in Delhi. The Congress party has always supported efforts to strengthen BRICS. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we are now seeing these initiatives come to fruition.” He highlighted the participation of leaders from China, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, and other member countries as a source of national pride.
The minister expressed optimism that discussions at the summit would positively address India’s interests, particularly focusing on youth employment, advancements in artificial intelligence, information technology, and the defense sector. He suggested that the summit should also explore enhancing horticulture and establishing IT hubs in Himachal Pradesh. Singh stressed the importance of promoting electric and hydrogen vehicles, with China leading in this technology. He believes that investment in these areas could boost job creation and benefit the environment.
Regarding defense collaboration, he recalled Russia’s steadfast support during the 1971 war with Pakistan, which contributed to the creation of Bangladesh. He pointed to projects like the S-400 and BrahMos supersonic missiles as symbols of India’s pride and advocated for strengthening this partnership. “This is not just a party issue; it’s a matter of national interest that will benefit India and enhance its leadership role in the Global South,” he asserted.
Singh also highlighted the significance of India’s presence in the Indian Ocean, where a third of global trade transits, and called for discussions on climate change at the summit.
On the topic of petro-dollars, he remarked that it is a complex issue. “Petro-dollars are a reality; whenever a country purchases oil from another, transactions occur in petro-dollars, benefiting the U.S. directly. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative currency system, and BRICS can play a vital role in this. Currencies like the Chinese yuan, Indian rupee, and those of other member nations should be accepted for international transactions. This is a crucial aspect,” he explained. He acknowledged that the U.S. would likely seek to maintain its dominance in the economic arena, but stressed the necessity of countering that influence.
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