India Emphasizes ‘Global South’ and Tangible Outcomes at the 18th BRICS Summit
At the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India handed over the presidency to China, which will host the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for tangible, result-oriented cooperation within BRICS—moving beyond mere declarations—and highlighted the importance of prioritizing the interests of the Global South. Chinese President Xi Jinping also stressed the need to strengthen BRICS' active role in international affairs and its representation of Global South interests. Bilateral talks between India and China during the summit underscored the significance of BRICS in the context of multilateral cooperation, strategic autonomy, and global governance.
At the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated China on hosting the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027. The rotating presidency of BRICS was transferred from India to China, reflecting leadership continuity within the organization and institutional cooperation among member nations.
Emphasis on ‘Tangible Outcomes’ Beyond Declarations
Prime Minister Modi noted that BRICS is entering the third decade of its existence; the international community now expects more than just declarations and ideas from the group, seeking instead tangible, result-oriented cooperation. This perspective highlights the need to transform BRICS into a more effective platform for addressing global economic and political challenges.
Prioritizing the Interests of the Global South
Through BRICS, India prioritized the interests and development-related challenges of Global South nations. Cooperation in areas such as disaster management, MSMEs, the environment, development, and technology was highlighted as crucial. India aims for BRICS to evolve beyond a mere platform for governments into a medium for broad-based cooperation that addresses the genuine needs and aspirations of developing countries.
The Need for People-Centric Cooperation within BRICS
Prime Minister Modi emphasized expanding BRICS cooperation beyond governments to include entrepreneurs, farmers, scientists, women, the youth, and ordinary citizens. He stated that the core strength of BRICS lies in its unity in diversity and its capacity for cooperation among nations with varying circumstances.
China’s Emphasis on Enhancing the BRICS Role in the Global South
Chinese President Xi Jinping also underscored the need to transform BRICS into a more effective force representing the interests of the Global South. He called upon member nations to play an active and positive role in international affairs. This indicates that BRICS is moving towards playing a more influential role in global governance, rather than limiting itself solely to economic cooperation.
Significance of BRICS in the Context of India-China Relations
A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Xi Jinping also took place during the BRICS summit. Both India and China are key members of BRICS and play significant roles within the Global South and multilateral institutions. Such forums provide opportunities for bilateral dialogue alongside multilateral cooperation. For the UPSC, this serves as a significant example for understanding India's strategic autonomy, multilateralism, and Global South diplomacy.
