BRICS must turn consensus into concrete outcomes: PM Modi

New Delhi, Sep 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday formally inaugurated the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi and called for transforming the grouping’s unity and consensus into concrete outcomes at the global level, asserting that India is not against anyone but stands with everyone.
Addressing the summit being held under India’s chairship, Modi said BRICS has completed 20 years of its existence and is entering a new phase that demands greater maturity, responsibility and a stronger global role.
“India is not against anyone, but with everyone. Ordinary people and humanity are our priority,” the prime minister said, highlighting the people-centric approach of India’s BRICS chairship.
Modi said new ideas, mutual cooperation, resilience, innovation and sustainable development have remained among India’s key priorities during its chairship.
He welcomed all BRICS leaders to India and thanked member countries for their cooperation in making the chairship successful.
The prime minister said more than 350 meetings were organised during India’s chairship, with delegations from member countries hosted in around 30 cities.
Describing the summit as a historic milestone, Modi said BRICS is marking the 20th anniversary of its establishment.
“Human life at the age of 20 marks the beginning of a new phase of maturity and responsibility. Similarly, BRICS has now entered an important stage in its journey towards maturity,” he said.
Modi said the grouping has established a unique identity globally over the past two decades, with member countries respecting each other’s perspectives and moving forward through consensus.
“Now the time has come to convert the unity and consensus within BRICS into concrete results at the global level,” he said.
The prime minister urged BRICS countries to prepare an ambitious and forward-looking agenda for the next 20 years and provide a clear direction for reforms in the global system.
To make the grouping’s internal functioning more effective, Modi proposed the establishment of a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism.
He said the annual change in BRICS chairship should not affect the institutional momentum of the grouping.
The mechanism, he suggested, could use the troika system to improve coordination between the previous, current and incoming presidencies and monitor the outcomes and implementation of various initiatives.
Modi also proposed the creation of a secure digital repository to maintain records of BRICS decisions, including the concerned nodal officer, timelines and current status of implementation.
Calling for reforms in the existing global governance system, Modi said the Global South is at the forefront of global crises but remains at the back of the queue when it comes to global decision-making.
“Today, the Global South is at the forefront of global crises, but is kept at the back in global decision-making,” he said.
The prime minister stressed that the global system must ensure equal importance to all countries and effective participation in shaping international decisions.
He said three key aspects should receive special attention while preparing a roadmap for reforms — representation, accountability and timely response, and rule-making.
Countries playing a significant role in global economic growth should also have an appropriate and effective role in shaping global economic governance, Modi said.
He called for a more representative, accountable and inclusive global governance system that enables developing countries and all regions of the world to make their voices heard effectively in global decision-making.
Modi said the BRICS platform should be transformed from a “pyramid of privileges” into a “platform of partnerships”, with ordinary people and humanity remaining at the centre of its efforts.
The summit is being held against the backdrop of growing global challenges, with discussions expected to focus on international cooperation, sustainable development and reforms in global governance. (KNS)