PM Modi today urged BRICS nations to unite and strengthen their cooperation to combat terrorism and its financing.

Speaking at the closed plenary session of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Modi emphasized that there should be no double standards on such a serious issue. He called for proactive steps to prevent youth radicalization and urged BRICS members to work together on the long-pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations.

Modi also highlighted the need for global regulations on cybersecurity and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). He stressed that BRICS should focus on addressing challenges like cybersecurity threats, deepfakes, and disinformation in the digital age. He pointed out that this summit is taking place amid global crises such as war, economic uncertainty, climate change, and terrorism, all of which demand BRICS’ active engagement.

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The Prime Minister noted the rising geopolitical divides between North and South, and East and West, but affirmed that India advocates for diplomacy and dialogue rather than conflict. He expressed confidence that BRICS can generate new opportunities for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future, just as it had collectively faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing inflation and ensuring security in food, energy, health, and water sectors remain top priorities for all BRICS nations. Modi highlighted that BRICS, as an inclusive and diverse platform, should focus on people-centric approaches, sending a message that it serves public interest rather than causing division.

Modi reiterated India’s readiness to welcome new nations as BRICS partners, emphasizing that any such decisions should be made unanimously. He also called for timely reforms in global institutions like the UN Security Council, Multilateral Development Banks, and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

During the summit, Modi noted that BRICS represents 40% of the world’s population and around 30% of the global economy, with numerous achievements over the past two decades. He expressed confidence that BRICS will become an even more effective force for addressing global challenges. India remains fully committed to enhancing cooperation within BRICS, particularly in infrastructure development. Modi highlighted India’s Gatishakti portal, which has accelerated multimodal connectivity and reduced logistics costs, benefiting the country’s infrastructure planning.

The Prime Minister also welcomed efforts to increase financial integration among BRICS nations. He supported trading in local currencies and simplifying cross-border payments to bolster economic cooperation. He referred to India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) as a major success story that has already been adopted in many countries.

In his address, Modi praised the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre, launched in 2022, for its role in improving health security across member countries. He offered India’s digital health expertise to BRICS partners. Addressing climate change, Modi highlighted it as a shared priority for BRICS and applauded the consensus reached on the Open Carbon Market Partnership under Russia’s leadership. He added that India is placing special emphasis on green growth, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the green transition. Modi also mentioned key initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, promoting green and sustainable development.