At the 2025 BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and thought-provoking address emphasizing the urgent need for global institutional reforms and greater representation for the Global South.
Highlighting decades of systemic imbalance, PM Modi pointed out that the Global South has often been a victim of double standards — whether in development, distribution of resources, or matters related to global security. He stated that global institutions created in the 20th century have failed to provide adequate representation to two-thirds of humanity, underscoring the inefficiency of systems that ignore the voices of the majority.
Using a powerful metaphor, he said, "Without the Global South, multilateral institutions feel like mobile phones with SIM cards, but no network," illustrating the lack of connection between these institutions and the realities of a large part of the world.
PM Modi emphasized the need for a new multipolar and inclusive world order, starting with comprehensive reforms of global institutions. He argued that such reforms must not be symbolic but result in real change — through shifts in governance structures, voting rights, and leadership positions. “You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters,” he said, calling out the outdated nature of institutions like the United Nations Security Council, World Trade Organization, and Multilateral Development Banks.
He criticized how global institutions have not undergone significant updates in over 80 years, despite rapid advancements in fields like artificial intelligence and global technology. “In the age of AI, where technology is updated every week, it is unacceptable that global institutions have not been updated even once in 80 years,” he remarked.
Addressing key issues such as climate finance, sustainable development, and access to technology, Modi said that the Global South has received little more than token gestures. He noted that countries making significant contributions to the global economy are often excluded from decision-making tables — a gap that not only undermines representation but also the credibility and effectiveness of those institutions.
On the issue of BRICS expansion, he described the inclusion of new member nations as evidence that BRICS is a dynamic platform capable of evolving with the times.
PM Modi stressed that institutions have proven incapable of addressing today’s most pressing challenges — whether it’s conflicts, pandemics, economic crises, or threats in cyber and space domains. These institutions, he said, have offered no real solutions.
Concluding his address, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to global cooperation and solidarity, stating that India has always believed in working for the greater good of humanity. He pledged that India will continue to work closely with BRICS partners to make constructive contributions on all major global issues.
Disclaimer:This blog is a summary of key points made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS 2025 Summit and is intended for informational purposes. It does not represent official government policy or statements beyond the cited speech.
