By News18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other global leaders on Monday gathered for the customary 鈥榝amily photo鈥 on day 2 of the BRICS Summit, which is being held at Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
During the traditional photo session, PM Modi stood alongside Brazilian President Luiz In谩cio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and other leaders.
Leaders of the BRICS group pose for the family photo during the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Reuters)
The two-day summit, hosted by Brazil from 6 to 7 July, focused on key global issues ranging from multilateralism and artificial intelligence to climate action, peace and security, and economic resilience. PM Modi exchanged views with other leaders on all these matters during the summit session on day 1 on Sunday.
On Sunday, PM Modi strongly batted for Global South and vouched for multipolar and inclusive world order in global organistaions. While addressing the 17th BRICS Summit, the Indian primer said that the Global South nations have often been the victims of double standards.
He said that the concerns regarding development, resource allocation, or security, have consistently been overlooked by the global organisations. He further said that when it comes to crucial issues like climate finance, sustainable development, and access to technology, they鈥檝e only ever received superficial attention.
Leaders of the BRICS group attend a meeting during the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Reuters)
In a veiled jibe at the global organisations, viz, the United Nations (UN), PM Modi criticised the outdated nature of global institutions and said that these institutions are unable to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.
鈥淲hether it is the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world, pandemic, economic crisis, or the newly emerging challenges in cyber and space, these institutions have no solutions,鈥 he added.
Calling for comprehensive reforms of institutions such as the UN Security Council, WTO and multilateral development banks, he said reforms should not be symbolic but must include real changes to governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions.
South Africa鈥檚 President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazil鈥檚 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and India鈥檚 Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold hands as they pose for the family photo during the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Reuters)
He also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and reaffirmed that peace is the only viable option for the good of humanity.
He further said that India believes for the sake of humanity peace is the only path.
鈥淚ndia, being the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha believes that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, the path of peace is the best option for the welfare of humanity. And, India will do everything possible in this direction,鈥 he said.
Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack
The BRCIS nations on Sunday unequivocally condemned the April 22鈥檚 ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir鈥檚 Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. In a joint statment released on Sunday, the leaders of BRICS bloc鈥揃razil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates鈥 strongly denounced the act of violence and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movements of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens.
BRICS Group
BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 with the inclusion of South Africa. In a major development in 2024, the group extended membership to six additional countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
(With inputs from agencies)