NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a greater role for developing countries in shaping the international order, saying the Global South must move beyond being a recipient of decisions and become an active participant in making global rules.
Addressing the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the grouping had reached an important stage after two decades of its existence and should now convert its internal consensus into concrete outcomes on the global stage.
He said India’s BRICS chairmanship had focused on a people-centric and “humanity-first” approach, with resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability identified as key priorities.
Modi Seeks Stronger Continuity Within BRICS
Reflecting on India’s year as BRICS chair, Modi said more than 350 meetings had been organised, with representatives of member countries travelling to nearly 30 Indian cities.
He thanked participating nations for their contribution and described the 20th anniversary of BRICS as a milestone marking the grouping’s transition into a more mature phase.
Modi proposed a mechanism to ensure that the annual rotation of the BRICS presidency does not interrupt ongoing initiatives. Under his proposal, a continuity and implementation mechanism could track decisions through the BRICS “Troika” arrangement.
He also suggested creating a secure digital repository containing information on each initiative, including responsible nodal points, timelines and implementation progress.
‘Pyramid of Privilege’ Must Give Way to Partnership
Turning to global governance, Modi argued that existing international institutions continue to concentrate influence among a limited number of countries.
He said the Global South often finds itself heavily affected by major international crises while having comparatively limited influence over the decisions that shape them.
Calling for a shift from what he described as a “pyramid of privilege” to a “platform of partnership”, Modi proposed that BRICS members jointly develop 10 proposals for reforming global governance. The aim, he said, would be to turn these proposals into a BRICS reform roadmap by the next summit.
He identified three broad areas for attention: representation, responsiveness and rule-making.
Push for UN, Financial Institution Reforms
On representation, Modi said reform of the United Nations Security Council could no longer be delayed and called for negotiations to have clear timelines and measurable outcomes.
He also argued that voting rights, leadership positions and policy priorities in international financial institutions should better reflect contemporary economic realities.
Countries that contribute significantly to global economic growth, he said, should have an appropriate role in determining the direction of global economic governance.
India Proposes Emergency Network for Seafarers
Modi also placed maritime workers among the areas requiring greater international cooperation.
He proposed establishing a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network”, linking maritime authorities and diplomatic missions to help sailors facing emergencies.
The proposed system could facilitate responses to distress calls, medical emergencies, family notifications and evacuation requirements.
AI, Cyberspace Among Areas Requiring Global South’s Voice
The Prime Minister said equal participation in creating rules for emerging technologies would be critical to the future international order.
Artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and other critical technologies, he noted, are rapidly creating new opportunities while simultaneously establishing frameworks that could govern future economic and strategic relations.
Modi said BRICS could help countries of the Global South develop the expertise required to participate effectively in such negotiations. He proposed training young diplomats and policymakers in negotiation techniques, legal frameworks and practical aspects of international rule-making.
The objective, he said, should be to transform the Global South from a “rule-taker” into a “rule-shaper.”
‘If Our Future Is Shared, Right to Shape It Must Also Be Shared’
Modi noted that the summit coincided with the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, calling the timing significant given India’s emphasis on strengthening the voice of developing nations.
He said India was prepared to take the lead in advancing the agenda and called for the BRICS@20 milestone to produce a clear message on shared responsibility in global governance.
“If our future is shared, then the right to shape it must also be shared,” Modi said, underlining his call for a more inclusive international system.
He concluded by framing the broader BRICS vision around a transition “from voice to impact, from privilege to partnership.”
