PM Modi's Brazil visit sees discussions on BRICS agenda, condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack
The leaders held productive discussions on various issues on the BRICS agenda, including reform of global governance, enhancing the voice of the global south, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, development issues and Artificial Intelligence.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the President of Brazil for his warm hospitality and the successful organisation of the Summit, as per the statement.
PM Modi addressed the inaugural session on 'Reform of Global Governance and Peace and Security'. Later in the day, the Prime Minister also addressed a session on 'Strengthening Multilateral, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence. This session included participation by BRICS Partner and invited countries.
Addressing the session on Global Governance and Peace and Security, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to enhancing the voice of the Global South. He noted that developing countries required greater support for sustainable development, in terms of access to climate finance and technology. Highlighting that the global organisations of the 20th century could not deal with the challenges of the 21st century, he underscored the need for reforming them.
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1941904148380680504
Calling for a multipolar and inclusive world order, the Prime Minister stated that global governance institutions such as the UN Security Council, the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO must undergo urgent reform to reflect contemporary realities. He thanked the leaders for highlighting the urgency of UN Security Council reform and adopting a strong language on the issue in the Summit Declaration.
On Peace and Security, the Prime Minister underlined that terrorism was a grave threat facing humanity. In this context, he noted that the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 was not just an attack on India, but an onslaught on all of humanity.
Calling for strong global action against terrorism, the Prime Minister noted that those funding, promoting or providing safe havens to terrorists must be dealt with in the harshest terms. He emphasised that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism. He thanked the BRICS leaders for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest terms. Calling upon the BRICS countries to strengthen the global fight against terrorism, he emphasised that there should be zero tolerance in dealing with the menace, as per the statement.
Further elaborating on the subject, the Prime Minister noted that conflicts, from West Asia to Europe, were a matter of deep concern. He further added that India has always called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve such conflicts and was ready to contribute towards such efforts.
Addressing the session on 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence', the Prime Minister expressed that diversity and multipolarity were valued strengths of the BRICS.
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1942022003973583260
He stated that at a time when the world order was under pressure and the global community was facing uncertainty and challenges, the relevance of BRICS was evident.
He further added that BRICS could play an important role in shaping a multipolar world. In this regard, he offered four suggestions: one, the BRICS New Development Bank must follow demand driven principle and long-term sustainability for granting projects; two, the group consider setting up a Science and Research repository which could benefit the global south countries; three, focus must be given to make the supply chain of critical minerals secured and resilient; and, four, the group should work for responsible AI - while looking into the concerns of AI governance, it should also give equal importance to promoting innovation in the field, the statement said.
After the Leaders' Session, the member countries adopted the 'Rio de Janeiro Declaration'. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
7 minutes ago
- The Print
India uses BRICS to push reforms—not to challenge the US
These nations are now challenging the hegemony of the West. Calls for de-dollarisation—reducing reliance on the US dollar in trade and finance— are becoming prominent, posing a threat to America's financial and geopolitical dominance. It gives China and Russia (and India too) a louder voice on the world stage. It fuels global economic realignment away from the dollar and Western institutions, pointing to a multipolar world order—something that US President Donald Trump doesn't support. Although forming groups of countries to promote cooperation is common globally, BRICS is more than a conventional grouping. It is a group of countries challenging the clout of the developed powers, particularly the US and European nations. In 2010, the first five members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—constituted 18 per cent of the global GDP. Their collective share has risen to 26.5 percent in 2025. The latest edition of the BRICS Summit was significant because all 10 member countries participated. It included Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, which attended as member states for the first time at the 2024 summit in Russia, and Indonesia, which joined in early 2025 as the first Southeast Asian country in the bloc. With its expansion, the group is now known as BRICS Plus—a term first used at the 2024 summit. Trump's worries with BRICS The recent expansion of BRICS, with five new members joining, has increased the worries of the West, particularly the US. And without mincing words, Trump has started expressing his unhappiness over the developments happening in BRICS. Here are the key reasons why Trump opposes BRICS: The primary reason is that both the original members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and new entrants like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia are openly discussing reducing reliance on the US dollar in trade and finance. Trump's long-standing 'America First' stance makes any move away from the dollar a direct challenge to U.S. economic influence and its ability to enforce sanctions. The second point that irks Trump is BRICS' geopolitical opposition to the West. BRICS increasingly positions itself as a counterweight to Western institutions like the G7, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. The deepening ties between China and Russia within BRICS are seen as part of a broader anti-Western alignment. Third, Trump has consistently taken a hardline stance on China, through trade wars, tariffs, tech and investment restrictions, etc. BRICS giving China a leadership platform to challenge the US on the global stage agitates him. He views BRICS as a vehicle for China's global expansion under the guise of multipolarity. Fourth, the inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Iran gives BRICS influence over global energy markets. There is growing potential for oil trade to be conducted in non-dollar currencies (e.g., yuan or BRICS currency), which would weaken the petrodollar system—a critical pillar of US global economic power. Fifth, Trump perceives BRICS expansion as a sign that the 'Global South' is drifting away from Western influence, forming its own independent bloc. This runs contrary to Trump's vision of negotiating 'from strength,' where US dominance is unquestioned. Sixth, Trump views global influence in zero-sum terms. Any rise of a non-Western grouping that excludes the US is seen as a personal and national affront. BRICS summits that propose alternative visions for world order without US involvement are perceived as a threat to 'American prestige'—something Trump values highly. He has threatened to impose higher tariffs on countries siding with the BRICS. He has already announced the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Brazil. Also read: BRICS nations resist 'anti-American' label after Trump tariff threat India's pragmatic approach Although India is a member of BRICS, its approach is more nuanced, balanced, and pragmatic compared to other members. India's stance is shaped by its national interests, strategic autonomy, and growing global ambitions. While it has been trying to promote its economic interests by promoting international trade and settlements in rupee—thereby reducing dependence on dollar—India is not anti-dollar. It supports a broader effort to diversify the global financial system, reduce dependency on a single currency, and promote a multipolar world order. India has initiated bilateral trade in rupees with countries such as Russia, the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius to reduce its forex outflows. So far, more than 20 countries have opened Vostro accounts to facilitate trade settlement in domestic currencies. India backs BRICS to create alternative payment mechanisms, like using local currencies or discussions around a potential BRICS currency, but remains cautious about their practicality. India understands the dominance of the dollar in global trade and finance and has not called for its outright replacement (or de-dollarisation). Instead, it favors the coexistence of multiple reserve currencies (like the euro, the yuan, and the rupee). India does not see BRICS as an anti-US bloc. It views the grouping as a platform for reforming global institutions, not for confrontation. India supports a world with multiple power centres, where the voices of emerging economies are better represented. India has been pleading for long to bring reforms in institutions like the United Nations, IMF, and World Bank, which it believes are West-dominated and don't reflect current global realities. In this context, under India's G20 presidency, an expert group was formed to prepare a report on reforms for global financial institutions. This group was co-convened by economists Larry Summers and NK Singh. Their report focused on strengthening Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). Guided by its own objectives, India uses BRICS to promote cooperation in technology, finance, infrastructure, and sustainable development. If the US is irked by Chinese dominance in BRICS, India too remains wary of China's influence in the bloc and rejects any behaviour that undermines its sovereignty or aligns too closely with Chinese interests. At the global level, India's balanced approach is to serve its national objectives and achieve its goals of protecting its national sovereignty. By promoting international settlements in Indian currency, reducing dependence on dollars, it's also trying to stop the de-weaponisation of dollars. India is promoting self-reliance through 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and discourages efforts of others (both the West and China) to weaponise global value chains. By promoting digital rupee payments, India is also trying to de-weaponise payment systems. These efforts protect our own national interest by not allowing others to dominate India. In the past, India has been able to demonstrate its clout by purchasing oil from Russia and Iran, promoting digital payments and pushing for reforms in global institutions at international fora. It's interesting that the US has not objected to these moves—perhaps looking at India as a force to balance the dominance of other countries, including China. Ashwani Mahajan is a professor at PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He tweets @ashwani_mahajan. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Hans India
7 minutes ago
- Hans India
Moment of immense pride: Leaders laud PM Modi on becoming 2nd longest-serving Prime Minister
New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday achieved a major political milestone by becoming the second-longest-serving Prime Minister in India's history, surpassing the late Indira Gandhi, leaders from across the political spectrum and within the BJP hailed his leadership, commitment, and historic record. Speaking to IANS, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi congratulated the Prime Minister, saying, 'We offer our best wishes and pray for his long life. Now that he has become the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of India, we hope he gets the opportunity to lead the country even longer, twice or thrice as long and represent India on the global stage.' Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, 'Heartfelt congratulations and greetings to the Prime Minister. He has created history and is breaking all records. Under his leadership, the nation has become proud and glorious. The sons of Mother India are filled with pride. Today, every Indian is respected across the world.' Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary expressed his gratitude, stating, 'I thank and express my gratitude to Prime Minister Modi. I pray for his long life and sincerely hope that he keeps working towards making his dream of making India the world's third-largest economy.' BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain added, 'It is a matter of great pride for the country that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the second-longest-serving Prime Minister... People across the nation and the world admire him. Today, after Pandit Nehru, he is the longest-serving Prime Minister, and this is a moment of immense pride for all of us.' BJP MP Damodar Agrawal praised PM Modi's leadership, saying, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi possesses a unique talent and serves the nation with tireless dedication and absolute commitment. That's why the NDA secured a clear majority under his leadership for the third consecutive time... He is not only the Prime Minister of India but also the world's most popular and influential leader.' Minister Madan Sahni also applauded the Prime Minister, saying, 'He will continue to serve for many more years. He is a remarkable Prime Minister who is steering the nation forward and enhancing India's global stature. He has given a strong response to neighbouring countries trying to spread terror, he is the first Prime Minister to do so. He has developed the nation, and the people of the country are happy with him.' With this milestone, PM Modi stands behind only Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who served for over 6,000 days. PM Modi also holds several other distinctions, he is the first and only Prime Minister born after Independence, the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister, and the longest-serving Prime Minister from a non-Hindi-speaking state.
The Hindu
7 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Conspiracy to keep 'Bahujans' out of education, research: Rahul slams govt on vacant university posts
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (July 25, 2025) attacked the Modi government over vacant reserved posts for SCs, STs and OBCs in central universities and said this is not just negligence but a "well-planned conspiracy" to keep 'Bahujans' out of education, research and policies. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha demanded that all such vacant posts be filled immediately and 'Bahujans' be given their rights, not "Manuwadi boycott". In a post on X in Hindi, Mr. Gandhi said the figures presented by the Modi government in Parliament are solid proof of 'Bahujans' being deprived of their rights and the presence of "institutional Manuism". In central universities, 83% of the posts of professor for STs, 80% for OBCs and 64 per cent for SCs have been "deliberately" kept vacant, he claimed. At the same time, 65% of the posts of assistant professor for STs, 69% for OBCs and 51% for SCs have also been left vacant, the Congress leader charged. "This is not just negligence, it is a well-planned conspiracy to keep Bahujans out of education, research and policies," Mr. Gandhi said. Due to the lack of adequate participation of 'Bahujans' in universities, the problems of deprived communities are deliberately made to disappear from research and discussions, he claimed. "In the name of NFS (Not Found Suitable), thousands of eligible SC, ST, OBC candidates are being declared ineligible under Manuvadi thinking and the government is not ready to take any responsibility," Mr. Gandhi said. "This is completely unacceptable. All vacant posts should be filled immediately, Bahujans should get their rights, not Manuwadi boycott," he said.
