BRICS: Modi delivers strong message in presence of Xi

At the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong message as the grouping celebrated its 20-year anniversary and looked towards the future. Modi emphasized that BRICS must now move from shared aspirations to concrete action, highlighting the group's increased maturity and responsibility.

He proposed the creation of a secure digital repository to track BRICS initiatives, their nodal agencies, timelines, and implementation status. The Prime Minister also called for global governance reform, focusing on representation, responsiveness, and rule-making. Modi suggested that BRICS work towards a reform roadmap for global governance by the next summit, emphasizing the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council and granting appropriate representation to countries driving global economic growth.

In terms of responsiveness, Modi advocated for stronger mechanisms to ensure that international cooperation translates into tangible help on the ground. He proposed a BRICS emergency-response mechanism to provide assistance to seafarers facing emergencies, including distress alerts, medical aid, and support for families.

Technology was identified as a crucial area, with Modi urging the Global South to move from being a "rule taker" to a "rule shaper." He suggested that BRICS could help developing countries strengthen their negotiation capabilities and practical and legal expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology, and other critical technologies.

Modi highlighted that India's chairmanship of BRICS focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, guided by a people-centric "humanity first" approach. Over 350 meetings and high-level engagements were organized across nearly 30 cities during India's chairmanship, bringing BRICS' agenda closer to the people and expanding cooperation across various domains.

As BRICS marks 20 years since its establishment, Modi urged the grouping to translate its accumulated experience into a more ambitious program for the future, shifting the focus from voice to impact and from privilege to partnership.