Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to strengthening collaboration among emerging economies and promoting equitable global development. The summit, hosted at the iconic Museum of Modern Art, brought together leaders from both the original BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and newly inducted members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
In a significant diplomatic engagement, PM Modi marked his presence at the summit despite the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit is being held under the Brazilian presidency with the motto: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” It focused on pressing global issues including multilateralism, climate action, artificial intelligence, economic resilience, and peace and security.
At the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, addressed the session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance.’ Expressed my views on why the voice of the Global South is more important than ever before and why it’s essential that global institutions provide… pic.twitter.com/XNqG8v1BXk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2025
“The BRICS remains a powerful force for economic cooperation and global good,” PM Modi said on Sunday as top leaders from member nations gathered in this Brazilian coastal city. His remarks echoed India’s larger foreign policy stance centred on equity, sustainability, and multipolar global governance.
Modi, welcomed warmly by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also shared a warm hug with him upon arrival. He later wrote on social media platform X, “Grateful to President Lula for hosting this year’s BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. BRICS remains a powerful force for economic cooperation and global good.”
“The Global South has often been a victim of double standards”- Modi
Addressing the first plenary session, PM Modi strongly advocated for the cause of the Global South. “The Global South has often been a victim of double standards. Whether it is about development, distribution of resources, or security-related issues,” he stated. He highlighted that countries making significant contributions to the global economy are still excluded from major international decision-making platforms.
The Indian Prime Minister went on to criticise the stagnant nature of global institutions. “In the age of artificial intelligence, where technology is updated every week, it is not acceptable for a global institution to not be updated even once in 80 years,” he said. Drawing a sharp analogy, he added, “21st century software cannot be run by 20th century type-writers.” These remarks underscored the urgent need for structural reforms in multilateral bodies.
#WATCH | Brazil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders gather for the family photo at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
(Video Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/c6pIWhFdxM
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
He urged that reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Trade Organisation, and multilateral development banks must go beyond symbolism. “The challenges of the countries of the Global South should be given priority in policy-making,” he emphasized, while hailing the recent BRICS expansion as a reflection of the bloc’s adaptability.
PM Modi reiterated India’s global commitment, saying, “India has always considered it its duty to rise above its own interests and work in the interest of humanity.”
The BRICS Summit is set to conclude with two major declarations, one on climate change financing and the other on the governance of artificial intelligence. The use of national currencies in intra-BRICS trade is also under discussion.
Modi’s Brazil visit is part of his ongoing five-nation tour, which has already taken him to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. He arrived in Rio on the fourth leg of the tour and will travel to Namibia next. India is set to assume the presidency of BRICS in 2026, further amplifying its leadership role in this influential global grouping.
