‘From rule-takers to rule-shapers’: PM Modi’s big pitch to BRICS leaders in welcome address

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 12, 2026) made a strong pitch for global reform, highlighting the current imbalance between decision-makers and those impacted by their decisions.

Towards this, he proposed that the leaders of the BRICS nations gathered in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit use the opportunity to arrive at 10 proposals for global governance reform, which can be developed into a BRICS Reform Roadmap. 

While delivering his welcome address, 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 that, 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.”

Towards this, Mr. Modi proposed a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism, which the BRICS Troika could use to follow up on all initiatives and outcomes.

“We can create a secure digital repository in which, alongside every decision, the nodal point, deadline and implementation status can be recorded,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi noted that the current structure of global governance resembles a pyramid, with power and decision-making concentrated at the top, while at the bottom are countries that are affected by these decisions but are unable to shape them.

“The Global South is today on the front line of global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making,” he emphasised. “We must transform this pyramid of privilege into a platform of partnership, where every country has a voice, every member has a stake, and the development of humanity remains at the centre of every effort.”

“With this objective, I propose that we jointly prepare 10 proposals for global governance reform, which we can seek to develop into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next Summit,” Mr. Modi added.

The Prime Minister said that, while preparing this roadmap, the assembled leaders should focus on three key aspects: representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

“First, on representation, I would like to say that reform of the UN Security Council can no longer be delayed,” Mr. Modi said. “Text-based negotiations on this issue must be linked to a definite timeline and clear outcomes.”

He added that voting power, leadership positions, and policy priorities in financial institutions must reflect today’s economic realities.

“Countries that are driving global economic growth should also have an appropriate role in shaping global economic governance,” Mr. Modi emphasised.

Regarding responsiveness, he said that trust in global institutions will be established only when they are 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.

“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 Prime Minister said that it is important to ensure equal participation in determining the global rules of the future.

“AI, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and critical technologies are not only creating future opportunities; they are also shaping the rules of the future,” Mr. Modi said. “We must work to transform the Global South from rule-takers into rule-shapers.”

“Friends, the message from the BRICS Summit being held in India should be clear: If our future is shared, then the right to shape that future must also be shared,” he added. “From voice to impact, from privilege to partnership — this should be BRICS’s guiding resolve.”

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