Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He emphasized the urgent need for significant reforms within international governance structures. Modi stressed that increasing the participation of the Global South in 21st-century decisions has become crucial.
PM Modi noted that two-thirds of the world’s population still lacks fair representation in global institutions established during the 20th century. Countries making substantial contributions to today's global economy are not given a seat at the decision-making table.
He clarified that the issue extends beyond representation. The credibility and efficacy of these institutions depend on addressing this. Modi used a simple analogy, describing these institutions without the Global South as being akin to a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network.
'Symbolic Support for the Global South'
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the marginalization of the Global South, stating that whether it is about development, resource distribution, or security issues, the priorities of the Global South have been overlooked. He noted that on issues such as climate finance, sustainable development, and technology access, the Global South has received little more than symbolic support.
'Can't Run 21st Century Software on 20th Century Typewriters'
At the BRICS Summit, PM Modi criticized the outdated nature of global institutions, noting that while AI and technology are updated every week, these institutions have not seen changes in 80 years. Running 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters is not feasible. PM Modi praised the BRICS expansion as an example of positive change, stating that the organization has the ability to evolve with the times.
'Need to Show Willingness for Reform'
During the summit, PM Modi pointed to the expansion of BRICS and the addition of new partners as evidence that BRICS is an organization capable of adapting with the times. He asserted that we must demonstrate the same willingness for reform in organizations such as the UNSC, World Trade Organization (WTO), and multilateral development banks.
