Recalling the Voice of Global South Summits hosted by India during its G-20 Presidency, Modi stressed that the group must give primacy to the concerns of the Global South.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, participated in the 16th BRICS Summit held with Russia in the Chair, in Kazan on Wednesday.

​Prime Minister Modi addressed two sessions of the BRICS Summit. In his address, Modi noted that the Summit is happening at a time when the world is undergoing several uncertainties and challenges including conflicts, adverse climatic impacts, and cyber threats, placing greater expectations upon BRICS. PM Modi suggested that the group take a people-centric approach to tackle these challenges. Modi also underlined the need for early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations to combat the menace of terrorism.

Modi said, “Our meeting is taking place at a time, when the world is facing several pressing challenges such as wars, economic uncertainty, climate change and terrorism. The world is talking about the North South divide and the East West divide. Preventing inflation, ensuring food security, energy security , health security, water security, are matters of priority for all countries in the world. And in this era of technology, new challenges have emerged such as cyber deepfake, disinformation.”

He added, “At such a time, there are high expectations of BRICS. I believe that as a diverse and inclusive platform, BRICS can play a positive role in all areas. In this regard, our approach must remain people centric. We have to give the world the message that BRICS is not a divisive organisation but one that works in the interest of humanity.”

Concerns of the Global South

The Prime Minister called upon BRICS to proactively push for global governance reforms. Recalling the Voice of Global South Summits hosted by India during its G-20 Presidency, he stressed that the group must give primacy to the concerns of the Global South. Modi noted that the regional presence of the New Development Bank including in GIFT city, India, has created new values and impacts.

Highlighting BRICS’ activities to foster economic growth, he emphasized that its efforts on trade facilitation in agriculture, resilient supply chains, e-commerce and Special Economic Zones have generated new opportunities. He underlined the need to prioritise small and medium scale industries. He expressed that the BRICS Startup Forum initiated by India which is to be launched this year would add significant value to the BRICS economic agenda.

Prime Minister Modi elaborated on the recent green initiatives undertaken by India, including the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LIFE and Green Credit initiative announced during COP28. He invited BRICS countries to join these initiatives.

Prime Minister congratulated President Putin for successfully hosting the 16th BRICS Summit and conveyed his good wishes to Brazil as it takes over the presidency of the group. At the conclusion of the Summit, the leaders adopted the ‘Kazan Declaration’.