BRICS Must Lead Global Reforms, Not Replace Existing Institutions: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (23 October) emphasised India's stance on dialogue and diplomacy over conflict during a closed-door plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Russia, stating that New Delhi "supports dialogue and diplomacy... and not war."

On Tuesday, PM Modi had conveyed to Russia's Vladimir Putin that "all conflict can be solved with dialogue".

Reiterating his statement while addressing the BRICS bloc, PM Modi urged the member countries to focus on pressing global issues, emphasising the need for action on various challenges affecting both BRICS members and the wider world.

"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 said.

"At such a time, there are high expectations of the BRICS grouping and I believe that we, as a diverse and inclusive platform, can play a positive role in all these areas," the Prime Minister said.

"In this regard, our approach must remain people centric. We have to tell the world BRICS is not divisive and that we support dialogue and diplomacy, and not war ...," he said.

Citing the collaborative efforts of BRICS nations during the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi expressed confidence that similar cooperation could create new opportunities for a "secure, strong, and prosperous future".

PM Modi said that India is ready to welcome new countries into BRICS as partner countries.

However, he stressed that decision regarding inclusion of partner countries "should be taken by consensus, and the views of BRICS founding members should be respected".

"The Guiding principles , standards, criteria and procedures adopted during the Johanesburg summit, should be complied with by all members and partner countries," he added.

Modi also highlighted the global fight against terrorism, a key focus of his government, during the address.

"In order to counter terrorism and terror-financing, we need the single-minded and firm support of all... there is no place for double standards on this serious matter," Modi asserted.

"We need to take active steps to stop radicalisation of youth in our countries," he added.

During his address, PM Modi emphasised that BRICS is an organisation committed to evolving with time and urged member nations to unite in raising their voices for the reform of global institutions.

He highlighted the need for BRICS to set an example for the world in promoting these reforms.

Modi stressed the importance of moving forward in a time-bound manner on reforms in key global institutions, such as the United Nations Security Council, Multilateral Development Banks, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He called on BRICS members to drive these changes while ensuring that the organisation is not seen as attempting to replace these institutions, but rather as one that is dedicated to reforming them.

The Prime Minister also underlined the significance of keeping in mind the hopes, aspirations, and expectations of countries from the Global South.

He noted that India had championed the voices of these nations during its Voice of Global South Summits and G20 Presidency.

Expressing satisfaction, he said that BRICS is also strengthening these efforts, citing last year's inclusion of African countries into the bloc.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting the BRICS Summit in Kazan and for his leadership of the bloc over the past 12 months.

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