New Delhi: At the BRICS Summit hosted by Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced India’s commitment to diplomacy and peaceful dialogue over conflict. Addressing a closed-door plenary session, PM Modi stressed that the global challenges require collective action, not war. His remarks follow a recent discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Modi reiterated, “All conflicts can be resolved through dialogue.”
“Our gathering comes at a time when the world faces multiple pressing challenges,” Modi emphasized. “We must address issues such as inflation, food and energy security, health, and water management. Moreover, emerging threats like misinformation, cyber fraud, and deepfakes demand urgent attention.”
Modi urged BRICS members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to maintain a people-centric approach. “We must demonstrate that BRICS is not divisive. We stand for diplomacy and cooperation, not conflict,” he said.
The Prime Minister cited the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of successful collaboration within BRICS, highlighting that similar cooperation could shape a more prosperous future. Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to fighting terrorism. “To effectively combat terrorism and its financing, we need unified and unwavering support. There can be no room for double standards,” he asserted, calling for measures to prevent youth radicalization.
Call for Global Reforms
Modi advocated for reforms in international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the World Trade Organization. “We must work towards timely reforms to strengthen global governance rather than seeking to replace these institutions,” he cautioned.
Expanding the BRICS Family
PM Modi welcomed the inclusion of new “partner countries” like Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE. “I am pleased that our extended family is meeting. All decisions should be based on consensus, in alignment with the principles adopted at the Johannesburg Summit,” he noted.
Expressing appreciation for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, Modi acknowledged Russia’s strategic role within the bloc. “India and Russia share a special and privileged partnership,” he remarked. Russia sees the BRICS platform as evidence that Western efforts to isolate it due to the Ukraine conflict have fallen short. However, the United States views BRICS as a geopolitical challenger, particularly wary of Moscow’s growing diplomatic maneuvers amid the ongoing war.