At the recent BRICS Summit in Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a strong stand for peace and cooperation, emphasizing that India believes in the power of dialogue and diplomacy over conflict. In his address at the Closed Plenary Session, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to resolving global challenges through peaceful means, stating, “We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war.” His message resonated with the BRICS nations, as he highlighted the collective responsibility of creating a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for the coming generations.
Modi drew a parallel between the successful global fight against COVID-19 and the current need to tackle new challenges such as terrorism, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Just as the world united to combat the pandemic, he stressed that a similar spirit of unity could lead to the formulation of global regulations to ensure cyber security and the ethical development of AI.
Addressing the Threat of Terrorism
In a time marked by numerous global challenges, the prime minister took a firm stand on terrorism and its financing. He called for stronger cooperation among the BRICS nations, underscoring the need to eliminate double standards on such a grave issue. “We all have to be united and cooperate strongly to deal with terrorism and terror financing,” Modi stated. He further emphasized the importance of preventing youth radicalization and urged progress on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations.
The prime minister’s stance was clear: global security cannot be compromised, and only through collective action can the roots of terrorism be eradicated.
A People-Centric Approach in a Divided World
Modi’s speech came at a time when the world is grappling with multiple crises—wars, economic uncertainty, climate change, and growing divides between the North and South, East and West. In light of these, he pointed out the unique role that BRICS can play. Rather than being a divisive force, BRICS should serve as a platform focused on public interest and inclusivity.
His vision was to maintain a people-centric approach, ensuring that the concerns of ordinary citizens remain at the forefront of BRICS’ efforts. By doing so, he believes the bloc can deliver a message of hope and unity, offering solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.
Welcoming New Partners to BRICS
PM Modi also spoke on the importance of expanding BRICS by welcoming new partner countries. He emphasized that such decisions should be made unanimously, with the views of founding BRICS members taken into account. The guiding principles, criteria, and procedures established at the Johannesburg Summit must be followed by all, ensuring a fair and balanced expansion process.
Reforming Global Institutions
One of the most crucial parts of Modi’s speech was his call for the urgent reform of key global institutions, such as the UN Security Council, multilateral development banks, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). He stressed that these reforms should be pursued in a time-bound manner to better reflect the current geopolitical landscape.
However, Modi was careful to clarify that BRICS should not be seen as a bloc trying to replace existing global institutions. Instead, its aim is to reform them to make them more representative, fair, and effective in addressing today’s challenges. This balanced approach is critical to ensuring that BRICS is viewed as a collaborative force for global progress, rather than a competing power bloc.
BRICS as a Catalyst for Global Change
Prime Minister Modi’s speech at the BRICS Summit was a powerful call for unity, diplomacy, and reform. His vision for BRICS is one of a people-centric, inclusive platform that can tackle global challenges like terrorism, climate change, and economic inequality, while advocating for necessary reforms in global institutions. By working together, Modi believes the BRICS nations can pave the way for a safer, more secure, and prosperous future for all.
