GG News Bureau
Rio de Janeiro, 7th July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he made strong pitches for reforming global governance institutions, enhancing the voice of the Global South, and fostering responsible use of Artificial Intelligence. The Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, brought together leaders from BRICS nations and invited partner countries.
In his address at the inaugural session themed “Reform of Global Governance and Peace and Security,” the Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to overhaul global institutions such as the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO. “The 20th-century institutions lack the capability to tackle 21st-century challenges,” he said, calling for a “multipolar and inclusive world order.”
He expressed gratitude to BRICS members for “highlighting the urgency” of UNSC reform and incorporating strong language in the Summit’s Rio de Janeiro Declaration on the matter.
“Terrorism Must Be Dealt with Zero Tolerance”
On the issue of global peace and security, PM Modi condemned terrorism in all its forms and referred to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 as not just an assault on India but on humanity itself. “Those who fund, support, or shelter terrorists must face the harshest action,” he said. He thanked BRICS leaders for unequivocally condemning the Pahalgam attack and urged the bloc to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
Dialogue and Diplomacy for Global Conflicts
PM Modi also expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, stressing that India continues to advocate for “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve global disputes. He offered India’s willingness to contribute constructively to peace efforts.
AI, Economy, and the Future of BRICS
Later, addressing the session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence,” PM Modi presented a roadmap for BRICS’ evolving role in a changing global order. Highlighting diversity and multipolarity as the group’s strength, he outlined four key proposals:
- Demand-driven projects by the New Development Bank with a focus on long-term sustainability.
- Establishment of a Science and Research Repository for the benefit of the Global South.
- Efforts to secure and strengthen supply chains of critical minerals.
- A responsible AI framework balancing governance concerns and innovation.
PM Modi said the relevance of BRICS is growing amid global uncertainty and urged member nations to be proactive in shaping the global economic and technological landscape.
Summit Outcome
At the conclusion of the leaders’ discussions, the member countries adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and cooperation on emerging technologies.
PM Modi also thanked President Lula and the Brazilian government for their warm hospitality and successful hosting of the Summit.
