Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held on July 6–7, 2025, where he called for deeper collaboration with the Global South, with a particular focus on agricultural innovation, multilateral reforms, and the responsible use of technology. Addressing world leaders from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and partner nations, PM Modi underlined the growing expectations of developing countries from the BRICS platform and called for collective efforts to meet them.
Highlighting India's contribution to agricultural development, PM Modi pointed to the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform, an initiative established in India, as a critical tool to strengthen agricultural research across member countries and the Global South. He noted that the platform can play a key role in sharing best practices and innovations in areas such as agri-biotech, climate-resilient farming, and precision agriculture. He added that the benefits of this platform should be extended to other developing nations as well.
Speaking during the inaugural session on “Reform of Global Governance and Peace and Security,” PM Modi strongly reiterated India’s stance on reforming outdated global institutions. He said bodies like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank no longer reflect today’s realities and must evolve to serve the needs of a multipolar world. He welcomed the firm support from BRICS leaders on the need to accelerate UN reforms and thanked them for including strong language on the issue in the Rio de Janeiro Declaration.
On the subject of terrorism, the Prime Minister referred to the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, calling it “an attack on all of humanity.” Without naming any country, he urged BRICS leaders to take strong action against nations that fund or shelter terrorists and warned against double standards. “Zero tolerance should be our approach,” he said, receiving support from the bloc for a united front against terrorism.
Later, while addressing the session on multilateral economic affairs and artificial intelligence, PM Modi underscored the growing relevance of BRICS in a world facing geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty. He offered four proposals to make the bloc more impactful: a demand-driven and sustainable approach by the BRICS New Development Bank; the creation of a joint Science and Research Repository; securing supply chains for critical minerals; and promoting responsible and ethical use of AI.
He also highlighted India’s “AI for All” vision, citing its use in agriculture, education, and health. “While we address the ethical concerns of AI, we must not hold back innovation,” Modi said, adding that the group must work on global standards to authenticate digital content and prevent AI misuse. He announced that India would host an “AI Impact Summit” in 2026 and invited participation from all BRICS nations.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, peace, and technological cooperation. PM Modi thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his warm hospitality and leadership, calling the summit a “meaningful step” towards shaping a multipolar world.
