New Delhi: The 17th BRICS summit, hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, concluded with a strong emphasis on multilateral reform and a unified condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. The summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” saw significant participation from member nations, partner countries, and international organisations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence played a crucial role, given India’s founding membership in BRICS and its upcoming chairship in 2026.
A key outcome was the joint declaration strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s statement that using terrorism for political gains is unacceptable. This demonstrated a collective commitment to counter cross-border terrorism and highlighted the importance of global accountability. The summit also addressed broader global governance issues.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for reform in organisations such as the UN Security Council, the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO, advocating for a multipolar world order that better reflects contemporary realities and gives greater voice to the Global South. He stressed the need for increased support for developing countries, particularly in access to climate finance and technology for sustainable development.
Beyond the plenary sessions, Prime Minister Modi engaged in several bilateral meetings. A meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister focused on multilateral cooperation and regional security, including support for the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Discussions with the Cuban President centred on economic cooperation, notably India’s digital public infrastructure and the potential integration of Ayurveda into Cuba’s healthcare system. Further discussions with the South African President and the Vietnamese Prime Minister were also held.
