Delhi: During the 18th BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed special emphasis on comprehensive reform of the global order and strengthening the organization. In his address, he stated unequivocally that if the world shares a common future, then all nations must have an equal right to shape that future. Advocating for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Prime Minister asserted that this issue could no longer be deferred.
Prime Minister Modi stated that BRICS member nations must now work towards translating their mutual unity and consensus into tangible outcomes. This requires formulating a new, ambitious agenda for the next 20 years and making necessary changes to operational mechanisms. He highlighted that despite being the first to confront global crises, nations of the ‘Global South’ are often sidelined in policy-making decisions. To alter this system, a call was made to collaborate on 10 proposals for global reform and to prepare a clear roadmap by the next summit.
The Prime Minister advocated for granting developing nations appropriate leadership roles and voting rights in international financial institutions, commensurate with their economic realities. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of equal participation for the Global South in rule-making processes for future-oriented sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyberspace, and space. He stressed that efforts should be made to transform the Global South from mere ‘rule-takers’ into ‘rule-makers,’ and affirmed that India is fully prepared to take the lead in this endeavor.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister clarified that BRICS is not a platform opposed to any specific nation; rather, it is a vibrant manifestation of an inclusive approach that seeks to move forward together. He suggested that to ensure the partnership yields concrete results, there should be regular follow-ups on decisions and consensus reached, proposing the creation of a digital repository for this purpose.
