New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS summit on Sunday, highlighting the growing global challenges that are affecting people’s lives around the world. He pointed out that rising geopolitical tensions, disruptions in supply chains, and climate-related crises are increasingly serious concerns that require collective action from nations in the Global South.
During the summit’s second day in New Delhi, Modi emphasized that the misuse of technology and critical resources could slow down progress and shared prosperity globally. He spoke alongside leaders from other BRICS nations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS has now expanded to include 11 countries, representing nearly half of the global population and a large portion of the economic output. The group aims to give developing nations a stronger voice in international institutions and to create alternatives to financial systems heavily influenced by Western countries.
Modi expressed concern over the increasing number of global tensions, stating, “These conflicts have a detrimental impact on the daily lives of ordinary people.” He pointed out that crises such as pandemics and climate disasters demonstrate how interconnected the world is today, with problems affecting many regions at once. To improve health readiness, the BRICS nations have decided to set up an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases.
In a joint declaration released on Saturday, the group voiced its worries about escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan and stressed the importance of addressing disputes through dialogue and diplomatic efforts. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a multipolar world order and called for reforms in the United Nations and global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The leaders also condemned unilateral sanctions and economic pressures that are not approved by the United Nations. They expressed concern about increasing tariffs and trade barriers, which they believe disrupt global trade and supply chains. In response, the group advocated for the use of local currencies in trade and suggested enhancing cross-border payment systems while emphasizing the need for collaboration on food security, energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and climate actions.
The summit marked a notable achievement, especially in building consensus among countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which have differing views on key regional issues. This diplomatic effort comes amidst ongoing conflicts and rising tensions in the region.
