Modi calls on BRICS to turn the Global South into rule-shapers

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on developing nations to dismantle the global "pyramid of privilege", urging his fellow BRICS leaders to help transform the Global South from passive rule-takers into active rule-shapers.

Speaking at the opening of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Modi argued that the current global decision-making architecture concentrates power at the top, leaving the countries most affected by these decisions with little to no say.

"The Global South is today on the front line of global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making," Modi said. "We must transform this pyramid of privilege into a platform of partnership, where every country has a voice, every member has a stake, and the development of humanity remains at the centre of every effort."

To achieve this, Modi proposed that the bloc jointly draft 10 proposals for global governance reform. The goal is to compile these into a formal "BRICS Reform Roadmap" by the time of the next summit.

The proposed reforms would focus on three areas: representation, responsiveness, and rule-making. On representation, Modi insisted that reform of the UN Security Council can no longer be delayed, calling for text-based negotiations with a firm timeline. He also argued that voting rights and leadership roles within international financial institutions should be updated to reflect modern economic realities.

When it comes to rulemaking, Modi pointed out that emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cyberspace, and outer space are already determining future global rules. The developing world, he argued, must have an equal hand in writing them.

Addressing persistent Western concerns that BRICS is shaping up to be an adversarial, anti-Western coalition, Modi sought to strike a cooperative tone. "We seek to move forward not against anyone, but with an approach of taking everyone along," he said.

The Indian leader also addressed internal administrative hurdles. Because the BRICS presidency rotates annually, Modi warned that the group risks losing its institutional momentum between summits. To counter this, he proposed a "BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism." Under this plan, the BRICS Troika would use a secure digital repository to log decisions, set deadlines, and track the progress of ongoing projects.

In a more specific pitch, Modi suggested setting up a "Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network" to connect maritime authorities across member states, offering distress alerts, medical aid, and evacuation services for sailors who are often left stranded during global crises.

Before the summit officially got underway at the Bharat Mandapam venue, where Modi was photographed holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Indian Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates.