India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Modi touched down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take part in the two-day BRICS Summit, whose top members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Although Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were absent, both nations remained engaged, with President Putin even addressing the gathering via video; nonetheless, this year’s summit still held significant weight. With global attention firmly on India’s evolving international role, Modi seized the spotlight during the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit from July 6 to 7.
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A reformed global governance
Modi opened his remarks highlighting the need for a new world order, one that is multipolar, inclusive, and equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. “Today, the world needs a new multipolar and inclusive world order,” he said, warning that despite rapid advances in technology, key global institutions have remained unchanged for eight decades. Calling for urgent reform, he urged bodies like the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO to mirror modern realities and give developing nations a stronger voice. India’s commitment to these goals came up again when Modi spoke on behalf of the Global South. He emphasized that developing nations have been repeatedly subject to “double standards” in development, resource distribution, and security. Their only recourse, he said, lies in a reformed global governance structure.
Building BRICS from within
Under Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship, six strategic goals were set: global health cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate action; AI governance; peace and security; and institutional development. Yet, at its core, BRICS remains focused on reforming Western-led institutions. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva kicked off the summit by renewing calls to expand the UN Security Council to better represent the Global South. The bloc also issued broad condemnations of military actions in Iran and Gaza without naming any countries, a choice that reflected their collective stance. Modi applauded the bloc’s steady expansion, which recently welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, saying, “The addition of new friends is proof that the organization can evolve with time.”
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Standing firm on terrorism
Amid rising domestic concerns over India’s global positioning, the BRICS declaration took a firm stance, strongly condemning the April 22 fatal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. With 26 killed and many injured, the attack drew swift criticism. The statement reiterated that terrorism “should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group” and declared that perpetrators and sponsors must be held accountable. Additionally, “zero tolerance” was the phrase adopted while condemning any double standards in counterterrorism efforts. In his address, Modi made a pointed remark, saying, “We cannot weigh the victims of terrorism and its supporters on the same scale.” He stressed that condemnation must always be a matter of principle, never convenience. He directly criticized Pakistan, accusing it of state support for terrorism and harboring terrorists on its own soil. He also thanked partner nations who stood with India in condemning the Pahalgam attack.
Safeguarding strategic minerals
Modi turned his attention to economics and geopolitics. He warned of the dangers of allowing strategic minerals, like rare earths, to become geopolitical tools. “It’s important to ensure that no country uses these resources for selfish gain or as a weapon,” he cautioned. His message was clear: supply chains for critical minerals must be secure, reliable, and devoid of coercion.
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Advocating responsible AI
Modi emphasized that AI should build upon human potential, not undermine it. He invited BRICS nations to join India’s forthcoming “AI Impact Summit,” aimed at promoting ethical AI development. He encouraged member countries to prioritize both innovation and responsibility in AI governance.
Reinforcing multilateralism
Modi highlighted the need for a stronger, more effective BRICS platform in his keynote at the BRICS Summit Plenary Session, which focused on multilateralism, economic-financial topics, and artificial intelligence. He urged nations to collaborate on inclusive policies that reflect shifting global dynamics.
Meeting BRICS leaders
Modi did not just speak; he met other leaders too. On the sidelines of the summit, he held bilateral talks with Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora and Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi. Discussions covered cooperation in trade, critical minerals, defense, healthcare, and digital technology. He also met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, exploring bilateral ties in various sectors. In a post on X, Modi noted his plenary address, saying it focused on strengthening BRICS’s influence in a multipolar world, and shared suggestions in a subsequent message thread.
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BRICS: A growing force
Since its founding in 2009, BRICS has grown from five nations to 10: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. Combined, they represent nearly half the world’s population, about 40% of global GDP, and around 26% of global trade. Beyond these member states, the bloc maintains partnerships with countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
India’s BRICS presidency
As Brazil passes the BRICS presidency torch to India next year, Modi has already laid out a vision for its term. He proposed a new focus: “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.” Drawing on India’s G20 presidency experience, he plans to keep issues affecting the Global South front and center. Speaking at a session on environment and global health, he linked human health with planetary health and said climate justice is not just pragmatic, it’s moral. “For India, climate justice is no alternative; it is a moral duty,” he declared, adding, “Where some measure it in numbers, India lives it in values.”
Furthermore, the BRICS Summit in Rio was distinctly India-shaped this year. Modi used his platform not only to advocate for institutional reform but also to reaffirm BRICS’s commitment to global peace, ethical AI, secure supply chains, and climate justice. Through pointed remarks on terrorism, resource security, and Western-led institution reform, he cast India as both a strategic thinker and a voice for the Global South. With India set to lead the bloc in 2026, Modi’s vision, focused on resilience, innovation, sustainability, and people-centric governance, marks a clear signal: BRICS is shifting from its original blueprint toward a more active, value-driven future.
