New Delhi, October 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the expanded BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. During his address, he welcomed the new members of BRICS and reiterated India's support for the expansion of the group. He emphasized that decisions regarding expansion should be made unanimously and that the views of the founding members must be respected. He highlighted that BRICS is a diverse and inclusive platform aimed at the welfare of people, not division.
At the 16th BRICS Summit, held amid global challenges like wars, conflicts, economic uncertainties, climate change, and terrorism, Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of a human-centered approach to solving world problems. He emphasized that BRICS is a positive, people-driven organization and not one that fosters division. He also stated that BRICS is an adaptable organization, willing to evolve with time, and called for collective efforts to reform global institutions.
Expressing concern over terrorism and the growing influence of extremist ideologies on the youth, Prime Minister Modi stressed that there should be no double standards in fighting terrorism. He urged for united action against terrorism funding and called for proactive measures to prevent radicalization among the youth in BRICS countries.
This expanded BRICS summit, the first of its kind, included leaders from new member nations such as Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Egypt, alongside the founding members—India, Russia, China, South Africa, and Brazil. Russian President Vladimir Putin, the host of the summit, mentioned in his opening remarks that over 30 countries are interested in joining BRICS and that the organization's expansion will be thoughtfully considered to maintain its efficiency.
Prime Minister Modi also advocated for timely reforms in global institutions like the United Nations Security Council, multilateral development banks, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). He cautioned that BRICS should focus on enhancing global institutions rather than completely overhauling them. He highlighted the importance of considering the aspirations of Global South nations in these efforts.
Key priorities such as inflation control, food security, energy security, health security, and water security were discussed, with Prime Minister Modi noting the increasing importance of technology-related issues like cybersecurity, misinformation, and deepfakes. He acknowledged that the world has high expectations from BRICS in addressing these challenges.
In concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment to BRICS, describing it as a unique group that promotes positive global cooperation. He noted that the diversity and mutual respect within BRICS, along with its tradition of consensus-based decision-making, are key strengths that continue to attract other nations to the forum. He expressed confidence that BRICS will continue to be a model for dialogue, collaboration, and coordination in the future.
