17TH BRICS SUMMIT from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

17^TH BRICS SUMMIT

Context:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6-7, 2025.
• Host Country: Brazil
• Theme: "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance"

BRICS EXPANSION

• The summit was notable for being the first after BRICS expansion, with the inclusion of:
  • Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
• The expanded BRICS now represents:
  • 49.5% of the world population
  • 40% of global GDP
  • 26% of global trade

KEY FOCUS AREAS

• Reform of global governance institutions
• Representation and voice for the Global South
• Peace and security, especially in conflict zones
• Strengthening multilateralism
• Development, climate finance, and technology access
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital cooperation
• Economic resilience and trade in local currencies

PARTICIPATION OF PM MODI Session 1: Reform of Global Governance, Peace & Security 1. Enhancing the Voice of the Global South

• PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to ensuring that developing countries have greater representation in global decision-making bodies.
• He highlighted the need for improved access to climate finance and technology transfer to achieve sustainable development.

2. Reforming Global Institutions

• He emphasized that 20th-century institutions are inadequate for 21st-century challenges.
• Called for urgent reforms in:
  • UN Security Council (UNSC)
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • World Bank
  • World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Welcomed the adoption of strong language on UNSC reform in the Rio de Janeiro Declaration.
• Notably, China and Russia reiterated support for the aspirations of India and Brazil for enhanced roles at the UN.

3. Counter-Terrorism and Security

• PM Modi denounced terrorism as a grave threat to humanity.
• Referred to the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025) as an assault on global peace.
• Urged:
  • Zero tolerance towards terrorism
  • Rejection of double standards
  • Action against those who finance, promote, or shelter terrorists
• Appreciated the strong condemnation of terrorism in the Summit Declaration.

4. Peace and Conflict Resolution

• Expressed concern over conflicts in West Asia and Europe.
• Reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy and offered India’s support for peace initiatives.

Session 2: Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs & AI 1. Relevance of BRICS in a Multipolar World

• PM Modi emphasized that diversity and multipolarity are strengths of BRICS.
• Asserted that BRICS is well-positioned to shape a stable and fair world order.

PM Modi’s four proposals for strengthened cooperation:

Area	Proposal
New Development Bank (NDB)	Should be demand-driven, sustainable, and maintain a strong credit rating.
Science & Research Repository	Create a shared repository for academic and research collaboration, inspired by India's One Nation, One Subscription model.
Critical Minerals Supply Chains	Build secure and resilient supply chains to avoid resource weaponization.
Responsible Artificial Intelligence	Promote "AI for All". India to host the AI Impact Summit in 2026; called for responsible and human-centric AI governance.

KEY OUTCOMES The Rio de Janeiro Declaration was adopted as the official outcome document of the summit, highlighting the following: 1. Global Governance Reforms

• Strong consensus for urgent reforms of the UN, IMF, WB, and WTO to make them more democratic, effective, and representative.

2. Climate Finance & AI

• Adoption of:
  • BRICS Leaders' Framework Declaration on Climate Finance
  • BRICS Statement on Global AI Governance

3. Economic Cooperation

• Push for de-dollarisation:
  • Increased use of local currencies in trade.
  • No proposal for a common BRICS currency.

4. BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Mechanism (BMG)

• Unveiled to mobilize private investment in:
  • Infrastructure
  • Sustainable development
  • Climate-related projects

5. Health Cooperation

• Endorsed the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases.

6. Rejection of Unilateral Sanctions

• Condemned unilateral coercive measures and secondary sanctions for violating international law and human rights.

INDIA’S BROADER DIPLOMATIC & STRATEGIC CONTEXT 1. India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement

• PM Modi reiterated India’s intention to expand trade ties with Latin American countries, especially Argentina and Brazil.

2. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• Though not directly discussed at the summit, India invited Argentina to join this India-led environmental alliance, focusing on big cat conservation

3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Diplomacy

• India continues to promote its DPI models (like UPI, Aadhaar) for adoption by Global South nations, reinforcing its soft power and leadership in digital governance.

4. Bilateral Engagements

• PM Modi utilized the sidelines of the summit for key bilateral meetings, strengthening India’s regional and multilateral ties

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA & THE GLOBAL SOUTH

• India reinforced its leadership within BRICS and the Global South by pushing for:
  • UN reforms
  • Climate justice
  • Ethical technology governance
  • Anti-terrorism frameworks
• The summit reflected India’s strategic aspirations to be a rule-shaper rather than just a rule-follower in global governance.

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