PM Modi with Brazil’s President Lula (right) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the IBSA leaders’ meeting in Johannesburg on Sunday.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg to deliver a forceful call for global governance reform and deeper strategic cooperation among India, Brazil and South Africa. Describing IBSA as a platform that connects “three continents, three major democratic powers, and three significant economies,” he said the grouping must now play a decisive role in shaping the international agenda.
Calling the meeting “historic and timely”, Modi pointed out that the G20 has been chaired by Global South nations for four consecutive years and argued that it is IBSA’s collective responsibility to “strengthen these initiatives and enhance their impact”.
Modi placed the reform of multilateral bodies at the centre of his message, stressing that none of the IBSA countries is a permanent member of the UN Security Council — which, he argued, proves that “global institutions no longer represent today's world”. He insisted that “institutional reform is not an option but a prerogative”.
The PM also urged a unified stand against terrorism, asserting that “on an issue of such gravity, there can be no room for double standards”, and proposed institutionalizing the 2021 meeting of the three countries’ National Security Advisers to reinforce cooperation on security.
Technology and innovation formed a key theme of his address. Modi said IBSA could lead the world in emerging technologies, especially digital public infrastructure and AI. He suggested the creation of an ‘IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance’ to share platforms such as UPI, CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech initiatives across the three countries, noting that such collaboration would help build “safe, reliable, and human-centric AI norms.” He added that the initiative could be formally launched at the AI Impact Summit in India next year.
The PM also underlined sustainable development as an area where IBSA can both support its members and contribute to global welfare. Citing areas such as millets, natural farming, green energy, traditional medicine and health security, he said the three nations can “serve as an example for the world”. He highlighted the IBSA Fund, which has supported almost 50 projects across 40 countries, and proposed the creation of an ‘IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture’ to amplify joint development efforts.
Against the backdrop of global polarization, Modi said IBSA has the moral authority to champion cooperation. “Today’s world appears fragmented and divided on many fronts. In such a time, IBSA can offer a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity,” he said, thanking Brazil’s President Lula for leading the initiative and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for his warm hospitality in Johannesburg.