Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the Brics summit on Friday with a forceful address demanding urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council and a fundamental overhaul of how global governance is structured. Speaking to leaders from across the expanding Brics alliance, Modi argued that the current international order—shaped largely by Western powers—leaves developing nations on the receiving end of rules they had no say in writing.
The central thrust of his address was a rallying cry for the Global South to reclaim agency in shaping the institutions and norms that govern international relations. "We must transform global governance from a system of privilege into one of partnership," Modi told the assembly, stressing that emerging economies deserve an equal seat at the table where critical decisions about trade, security, climate, and development are made.
As part of his proposal, Modi presented a draft of ten specific measures aimed at making multilateralism more inclusive. While details of each proposal were not fully enumerated at the opening session, the framework signals India's push to embed concrete mechanisms—rather than vague aspirations—for greater representation of developing countries in bodies like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the UN Security Council.
One standout initiative proposed by the Prime Minister was the creation of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network designed to protect maritime workers who face disproportionate vulnerability during crises such as pandemics, conflicts, and natural disasters. The plan calls for a coordinated mechanism to provide financial aid, medical support, and repatriation assistance to seafarers—a sector that has seen repeated disruptions in recent years.
The Brics grouping, which recently welcomed new member states including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, now represents a significant share of the world's population and GDP. Analysts note that Modi's address positions India as a leading voice for reform-minded developing nations within the bloc, reinforcing New Delhi's long-standing diplomatic priority of making multilateral institutions more representative and democratic.
The summit is expected to continue over the coming days, with discussions anticipated on topics ranging from de-dollarization efforts and alternative payment systems to climate finance and food security for the Global South.
