Modi at Brazil BRICS Summit: Calls for Greater Role for Developing Nations

Why in the News?

At the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for greater representation of the developing world, particularly the Global South, in global decision-making forums. The BRICS Leaders’ Declaration echoed many of India’s key concerns, including calls for UN reforms, condemnation of cross-border terrorism, and the expansion of BRICS membership.

Background

• BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) represents emerging economies and was founded in 2009 to challenge Western-dominated institutions like the UN, World Bank, and IMF.
• The Global South, a term used for developing and underrepresented countries, has long pushed for a more multipolar world order.
  India has consistently advocated reforms in global governance, particularly UN Security Council expansion to include countries like India and Brazil.
• The 2025 summit comes amidst:
  • Heightened geopolitical tensions (e.g., Israel–Iran conflict).
  • Terror attacks like the recent one in Pahalgam.
  • Institutional failures in tackling global crises (e.g., climate, pandemics, wars).

Features of the BRICS Declaration & Modi’s Speech

Representation and Equity in Global Institutions:

• Modi criticised 20th-century global institutions for excluding two-thirds of humanity from meaningful decision-making.
• Called for increased participation of emerging economies in international governance.

Expansion of BRICS:

• Welcomed Indonesia as a new BRICS member.
• Summit welcomed 11 “BRICS partner countries,” including Cuba, Nigeria, and Vietnam.

Condemnation of Terrorism:

• Pahalgam terror attack condemned “in strongest terms”.
• Call for finalising the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN.

Criticism of Western Military Actions:

• Israel-U.S. strikes on Iran are described as violations of international law and the UN Charter.
• Condemnation of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

UNSC Reform Support:

• Russia and China backed India’s and Brazil’s aspirations for a greater role in the UN Security Council.

Global South Solidarity:

• Promoted dialogue among developing nations.
• Recognition of double standards faced by Global South countries.

Challenges

Structural Resistance in Global Institutions:

• Western powers are hesitant to dilute their dominance in bodies like the UNSC, World Bank, and IMF.

Internal BRICS Tensions:

• Political and economic rivalries (e.g., India–China border disputes) may hinder cohesive advocacy.

Lack of Implementation Mechanisms:

• Past BRICS declarations have often lacked follow-through in terms of real institutional reforms.

Terrorism and Security:

• Despite consensus on condemning terrorism, differences in approach (e.g., on Pakistan) persist among BRICS nations.

Geopolitical Polarisation:

• The Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s rise, and U.S. influence complicate any unified Global South front.

Way Forward

Coalition Building:

• India and Brazil must strengthen strategic partnerships within BRICS and beyond (e.g., G20, African Union) to press for reforms.

Institutional Reform Drive:

• Renewed push for UNSC expansion, enhanced role of Global South in the World Bank/IMF through quota reforms.

Norm-Based Order:

• BRICS must advocate a rules-based international order that genuinely respects sovereignty and equality among nations.

Global South Leadership:

• Countries like India can serve as a bridge between developed nations and the Global South by leveraging forums like Voice of Global South Summits.

Follow-up Mechanisms:

• Create a BRICS Reform Working Group to track progress on the implementation of summit declarations.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Question: Why is a greater representation of the Global South essential in international institutions? Critically analyse India’s stance at the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil in this regard.?

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION

Also Read : BRICS will create a balanced ‘Multipolar’ world order: PM