- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:09 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Brics Summit 2025:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave a strong and clear message from the 17th BRICS Summit 2025, appealing to the powerful bloc of 11 emerging economies to set an example on international issues from terrorism to artificial intelligence and institutional reform, while reaffirming India's position as a major voice of the Global South. The summit was the first after the expansion of BRICS last year, which added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates to the original five members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Indonesia’s entry this year has taken the grouping to eleven major emerging economies, representing nearly 49.5 per cent of the global population, about 40 per cent of global GDP, and around 26 per cent of global trade. Speaking to the world's leading leaders in the Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi outlined five big priorities that represent India's vision for a more inclusive, secure, and multipolar international order.
PM Modi’s Big Messages From BRICS Summit
1. Zero Tolerance for Terrorism And No Double Standards
In his strongest comments so far, PM Modi stated that terrorism is still the greatest threat to humanity and appealed for a collective international response against it. Citing the recent Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir, which had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in April, Modi appealed to BRICS countries to pursue a "zero tolerance" approach against terrorism, cross-border flow of terrorists, and terrorism funding.
“There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists and no double standards in dealing with terror,” PM Modi asserted, making it clear to nations like China, which has blocked UN Security Council initiatives to put Pakistan-based terrorists on the list of sanctions. He also underlined that victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be put on the same scale, terming it as a betrayal of humanity. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration reflected India's stand, condemning terrorism in all its forms and reiterating its commitment to united action against UN-listed terrorists.
2. A Strong Pitch for Comprehensive Global Institutional Reforms
PM Modi utilised the BRICS forum to urge much-needed reforms in vestigial world institutions such as the UN Security Council, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and multilateral development banks. Citing the Global South's neglect, he contended that two-thirds of mankind continue to be under-represented in 20th-century paradigms inadequate to address 21st-century problems. “These institutions are like a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network, unable to deliver solutions,” PM Modi said, adding that symbolic changes are not enough. He called for concrete reforms in governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions to ensure fair representation.
3. BRICS As Catalyst For Multipolar And Inclusive World
Terming the enlarged BRICS a model of resilience, PM Modi encouraged the grouping to emerge as a beacon for a multipolar international order. With Indonesia becoming a member of BRICS in 2025, the bloc now accounts for nearly half of the world's population and approximately 40% of global GDP. Modi congratulated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and praised Brazil's leadership for injecting "new energy" into BRICS. He emphasised that BRICS should deliver the hopes of the Global South, exchanging innovations and solutions to problems such as climate change, food security, and sustainable growth.
4. Responsible Use and Inclusive Governance of Artificial Intelligence
As AI transforms economies and societies, PM Modi urged collective BRICS efforts on AI regulation based on human values. Emphasising India's pledge to 'AI for All', Modi declared that the AI Impact Summit will be hosted in 2026 by India, with an open invitation to BRICS partners to collaborate on safe and inclusive AI technology. He highlighted that promoting innovation and addressing governance issues should go hand in hand so that AI benefits all sections of society, particularly developing nations.
5. Strengthening Intra-BRICS Cooperation
PM Modi stressed that BRICS needs to first strengthen its own mechanisms so that it can gain credibility while advocating broader global reforms. He appealed for financially viable, demand-driven projects under the BRICS New Development Bank and increased collaboration on essential minerals, international supply chains, and technology transfer, cautioning against the weaponisation of vital resources. India, he said, remains fully committed to sharing expertise in agriculture, science, biotechnology and digital public infrastructure through platforms like the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform and the proposed BRICS Science and Research Repository.
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At the margins of the summit, Modi had important bilateral meetings with leaders such as Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, underlining India's increasing engagement in Asia, Latin America, and the Global South. Among these, the leaders have talked of deepening cooperation in trade, defence, education, healthcare, pharma, digital payments via UPI, and capacity building emphasising India's drive for more robust South-South cooperation.
PM Modi also spoke of India’s deep-rooted belief in peace, citing Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha. He expressed serious concern over the situation in Gaza and condemned military strikes on Iran, reaffirming India’s call for peaceful solutions to conflicts worldwide. “The expansion of BRICS and the joining of new friends is proof that this organisation can adapt to changing times. We must show the same resolve to reform global institutions too,” Modi said, praising Brazil’s Presidency for infusing “new momentum and energy” into BRICS cooperation. The summit concluded with the leaders taking the traditional BRICS family photo at Rio's Museum of Modern Art representing the group's collective determination to build up multilateralism, combat global challenges and advocate for the voice of the Global South.
1. Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and No Double Standards
In his strongest comments so far, PM Modi stated that terrorism is still the greatest threat to humanity and appealed for a collective international response against it. Citing the recent Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir, which had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in April, Modi appealed to BRICS countries to pursue a "zero tolerance" approach against terrorism, cross-border flow of terrorists and terrorism funding.
“There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists and no double standards in dealing with terror,” PM Modi asserted, making it clear to nations like China, which has blocked UN Security Council initiatives to put Pakistan-based terrorists on the list of sanctions. He also underlined that victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be put on the same scale, terming it as a betrayal of humanity. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration reflected India's stand, condemning terrorism in all its forms and reiterating commitment to united action against UN-listed terrorists.
2. A Strong Pitch for Comprehensive Global Institutional Reforms
PM Modi utilised the BRICS forum to urge much-needed reforms in vestigial world institutions such as the UN Security Council, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and multilateral development banks. Citing the Global South's neglect, he contended that two-thirds of mankind continue to be under-represented in 20th-century paradigms inadequate to address 21st-century problems. “These institutions are like a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network, unable to deliver solutions,” PM Modi said, adding that symbolic changes are not enough. He called for concrete reforms in governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions to ensure fair representation.
3. BRICS As Catalyst For Multipolar And Inclusive World
Terming the enlarged BRICS a model of resilience, PM Modi encouraged the grouping to emerge as a beacon for a multipolar international order. With Indonesia becoming a member of BRICS in 2025, the bloc now accounts for nearly half of the world's population and approximately 40% of global GDP. Modi congratulated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and praised Brazil's leadership for injecting "new energy" into BRICS. He emphasised that BRICS should deliver the hopes of the Global South, exchanging innovations and solutions to problems such as climate change, food security and sustainable growth.
4. Responsible Use and Inclusive Governance of Artificial Intelligence
As AI transforms economies and societies, PM Modi urged collective BRICS efforts on AI regulation based on human values. Emphasising India's pledge to 'AI for All', Modi declared that the AI Impact Summit will be hosted in 2026 by India, with an open invitation to BRICS partners to collaborate on safe and inclusive AI technology. He highlighted that promoting innovation and addressing governance issues should go hand in hand so that AI benefits all sections of society, particularly developing nations.
5. Strengthening Intra-BRICS Cooperation
PM Modi stressed that BRICS needs to first strengthen its own mechanisms so that it can gain credibility while advocating broader global reforms. He appealed for financially viable, demand-driven projects under the BRICS New Development Bank and increased collaboration on essential minerals, international supply chains, and technology transfer, cautioning against the weaponisation of vital resources. India, he said, remains fully committed to sharing expertise in agriculture, science, biotechnology and digital public infrastructure through platforms like the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform and the proposed BRICS Science and Research Repository.
At the margins of the summit, Modi had important bilateral meetings with leaders such as Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, underlining India's increasing engagement in Asia, Latin America and the Global South. Among these, the leaders have talked of deepening cooperation in trade, defence, education, healthcare, pharma, digital payments via UPI, and capacity building emphasising India's drive for more robust South-South cooperation. PM Modi also spoke of India’s deep-rooted belief in peace, citing Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha. He expressed serious concern over the situation in Gaza and condemned military strikes on Iran, reaffirming India’s call for peaceful solutions to conflicts worldwide. “The expansion of BRICS and the joining of new friends is proof that this organisation can adapt to changing times. We must show the same resolve to reform global institutions too,” Modi said, praising Brazil’s Presidency for infusing “new momentum and energy” into BRICS cooperation. The summit concluded with the leaders taking the traditional BRICS family photo at Rio's Museum of Modern Art representing the group's collective determination to build up multilateralism, combat global challenges and advocate for the voice of the Global South.