New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said, “India supports dialogue and diplomacy… and not war,” while speaking at a closed-door plenary session of the BRICS summit in Russia.
Mr Modi – who on Tuesday told Russia’s Vladimir Putin, whose country is at war with Ukraine, that “all conflicts can be resolved through dialogue” – today highlighted his concern and told the bloc of the many challenges facing its members and the world faced as a whole. and called for action on those fronts.
“Our meeting takes place at a time when the world is facing several pressing challenges. The world also talks about the North-South and East-West divides. Right now, preventing inflation… ensuring food, energy and health and water security… these are priority issues. And in this technological age, new challenges have emerged, such as disinformation (spread online) and cyber fraud such as deepfakes…’
“At such a time, there are high expectations from the BRICS grouping and I believe that we, as a diverse and inclusive platform, can play a positive role in all these areas,” the Prime Minister said.
“In this regard, our approach must remain people-centred. We must tell the world that the BRICS countries are not divisive and that we support dialogue and diplomacy, not war…” Mr Modi said.
READ | In a meeting with Putin, the prime minister advocates a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine
For example, the Prime Minister pointed to the pandemic and how the BRICS (which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the founding members) worked together, saying: “Just as we were able to overcome Covid, we can ensure a safe , strong and prosperous future…”
The global war on terror – a particular focus of the Modi government – was also highlighted.
“To counter terrorism and terrorist financing, we need the determined and strong support of everyone. There is no place for double standards in this serious matter,” Mr. Modi asserted.
“We must take active steps to stop the radicalization of young people in our countries.”
PM’s pushing UN reforms
The Prime Minister also pitched for reforms of global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council.
“We must make timely progress on reforms in global institutions such as the UN Security Council, multilateral development banks and the World Trade Organization,” he said, while also warning BRICS members and partners against seeking to replace rather than replace these institutions. reform.
About the new ‘partner countries’ of the BRICS
On the introduction of ‘partner countries’ such as Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, Mr Modi said he was happy that the ‘extended family’ was meeting for the first time. “In this regard, all decisions must be taken by consensus,” he said, adding: “The guiding principles, standards and procedures adopted at the Johannesburg Summit must be followed by all Member States and partner countries.”
Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for organizing the BRICS summit in Kazan and for his leadership of the bloc over the past twelve months.
India and Russia share a “special and privileged strategic partnership”, the Prime Minister said.
Russia has touted the BRICS summit as a diplomatic triumph showing that Western efforts to isolate Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine have failed. The United States has dismissed the BRICS as a “geopolitical rival” but is concerned about Moscow flexing its diplomatic muscles as the war rages in Ukraine.
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