Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Sept 12: Making a strong pitch for global reforms, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday presented a 10-point roadmap for global governance to be developed as a BRICS Reforms Roadmap while allaying the Western anxieties regarding the grouping declaring that BRICS bloc was “not against anyone.”
While delivering the welcome address at the BRICS Summit, Mr Modi highlighted the current imbalance between decision-makers and those impacted by their decisions and called for BRICS to transition from “rule-takers to rule-shapers.”
He called for strengthening BRICS and transforming the “pyramid of privilege” that pushes the Global South to the “back row of decision-making.” Stating that the Global South needed to be a rule-maker, he said, “Today, the Global South stands in the front row of global crises but in the back row of decision-making. We must transform this pyramid of privilege into a platform of partnership – one where every nation has a voice, every member has a stake, and the development of humanity lies at the heart of every endeavour.
“To this end, I propose that we jointly formulate 10 proposals for global governance reform, aiming to shape them into a BRICS reform roadmap by the time of the next summit,” PM Modi said. Elaborating on the pyramid analogy, PM Modi said the current global governance structure keeps power and decision-making concentrated at the top. He also called for strengthening BRICS.
“While strengthening BRICS, we must also chart a course for global reform. The current structure of global governance resembles a pyramid: power and decision-making are concentrated at the top. At the same time, the lower tiers consist of nations that are affected by these decisions yet unable to shape them,” he added.
The Prime Minister took note of the fact that the BRICS grouping was now 20-years-old and, as such, was entering a new phase of maturity and responsibility. “Over the past 20 years, BRICS has strengthened its distinctive identity on the global stage,” Mr Modi said. “We respect each other’s perspectives and move forward through consensus. We seek to move forward not against anyone, but with an approach of taking everyone along.”
“Now is the time for us to translate our unity and consensus within BRICS into concrete outcomes on the global stage,” he added. The Prime Minister said over the next 20 years BRICS must work on a new and ambitious agenda. “This must begin with our own working systems,” he said. “The BRICS presidency changes every year, but our institutional momentum should not stop because of this. Therefore, I propose the establishment of a ‘BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism’,” he added.”
“Friends, this year’s BRICS Summit marks a historic milestone. We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of BRICS. In human life, reaching 20 years of age marks the beginning of a new phase of maturity and responsibility. It is a stage where dreams are joined by duties, and capabilities find a new direction. Today, BRICS too has arrived at its ‘coming of age’ moment. Over the past 20 years, BRICS has established a distinct identity on the global stage. We respect each other’s perspectives and move forward through consensus. We are not against anyone; rather, we strive to move forward with the approach of taking everyone along,” he added.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after Putin drew a comparison between the BRICS grouping of emerging economies and the G7 of developed countries, underlining that BRICS contributes more to the global economy.
“Over the last five years, more than 40 per cent of the world GDP (gross domestic product) has been produced by the BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called G7, the Group of Seven — I don’t know why they call that the Group of Seven — stands at only 29 per cent,” Putin said on Friday at the BRICS Business Forum.
Putin’s dig was apparently aimed at Western powers, chiefly the United States, which has publicly voiced its concerns regarding the grouping. Last year, US President Donald Trump went as far as saying that BRICS wanted to replace the dollar with a rival currency. He warned any member country with a 100 per cent tariff if it moved forward with the plan.
The Prime Minister also called for reform of the United Nations Security Council. “In formulating this roadmap, we must focus on three key aspects: Representation, Responsiveness, and Rule-making. Regarding representation, I would like to state that reform of the UN Security Council can no longer be postponed. Negotiations on this matter must be linked to a definite timeframe and clear outcomes. Similarly, voting power, leadership positions, and policy priorities within financial institutions must align with today’s economic realities. Countries that drive global economic growth should also play an appropriate role in shaping global economic governance,” he said.
Regarding responsiveness, he said trust in global institutions would be established only when they were capable of providing effective solutions to problems. “We must focus on the speed, scale and last-mile impact of our collective response,” Mr Modi said, giving the example of how, despite making a significant contribution to global trade, seafarers often feel a lack of support during difficult times.
The Prime Minister called on keeping the sea routes safe for seafarers, highlighting their critical contribution in the global trade. For this, he said a ‘Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network’ must be established. His remark comes in context of the recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the US-Iran war.
“My proposal is: can we create a Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network,” he asked the assembled leaders. “Through this network, the maritime authorities and missions of the concerned countries could be connected. This could provide support for distress alerts, medical assistance, informing families and evacuation.”
“The third point I wish to raise concerns rule-making. Ensuring equal participation in defining future global rules is crucial. Domains such as AI, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology, and critical technologies are not only shaping future opportunities but also defining future rules,” he said.
“We must strive to transform the Global South from a ‘rule-taker’ into a ‘rule-shaper.’ Through BRICS, we can equip young diplomats and policymakers from Global South nations with negotiation skills, practical training, and legal expertise,” he added.
In his message, PM Modi said the Global South should become a rule-maker, adding that India was ready to take the lead in this endeavour. He said India’s message by hosting the BRCIS Summit was clear: if the future was shared, then the right to shape it must also be shared.
“Friends, the message from this BRICS Summit being hosted by India should be clear. If our future is shared, the right to shape that future should also be shared. From voice to impact, from privilege to partnership, this should be the guiding resolve of BRICS at present,” he said.