PM Modi welcomes world leaders, addresses open session on day 2 of 18th BRICS Summit; to hold bilateral meetings

On the second day of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the group of developing nations to take immediate action on their agreements and move beyond mere discussions. Addressing the leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Modi highlighted the growing geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and climate crises that are adversely impacting people worldwide.

He emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation and support among the Global South. The summit, founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, now includes 11 members representing half of the world's population and a significant portion of global economic output. Its primary objectives include promoting alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems and advocating for greater representation for developing countries in global institutions.

Modi specifically addressed the potential weaponization of technology and critical minerals, warning that such developments could impede global progress and shared prosperity. During the summit, the BRICS nations agreed to establish an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases to improve preparedness and response to future outbreaks.

Modi concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of converting summit agreements into tangible, time-bound actions, transforming the group into an "ecosystem of solutions."