Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged strengthened cooperation across the Global South on Sunday, warning that escalating geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and climate crises are increasingly impacting people worldwide.
Addressing the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Modi also cautioned against the “weaponization of technology and critical minerals,” stating that such actions could impede global development and shared prosperity. The bloc, founded in 2006, now comprises 11 member nations and represents approximately half of the world’s population and a significant portion of global economic output. BRICS aims to advocate for greater representation of developing countries in international institutions and promotes alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems.
"The number of conflicts and tensions in the world is continuously increasing, and this is having an increasingly negative and far-reaching impact on the lives of ordinary people," Modi stated alongside leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He noted that pandemics, climate disasters, and supply chain disruptions demonstrate that in an interconnected world, no crisis remains isolated to a single region.
Modi announced that the bloc has agreed to establish an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for future outbreaks. The summit concluded with a joint declaration on Saturday, where leaders expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and Sudan, advocating for the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
The group reaffirmed its support for a multipolar world order and called for reforms to global institutions such as the United Nations, including its Security Council, as well as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They opposed unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures not authorized by the UN, and criticized rising tariffs and non-tariff barriers that they argue undermine global trade and supply chains.
The BRICS nations backed increased use of local currencies in international trade and robust cross-border payment systems. The declaration also emphasized cooperation on critical issues including food security, energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and climate action. The agreement marked a significant diplomatic achievement, particularly given the complex geopolitical landscape and competing positions among member states like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.