Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for stronger cooperation across the Global South as he warned that geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains and climate crises are increasingly affecting people worldwide.
Addressing the BRICS summit of leading developing nations on its second and last day in New Delhi, Modi also warned that the "weaponization of technology and critical minerals" could hinder global development and shared prosperity.
Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, BRICS has expanded to 11 members, representing about half the world's population and a significant share of global economic output.
It has sought greater representation for developing countries in global institutions and promoted alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems.
"The number of conflicts and tensions in the world is increasing, increasingly impacting ordinary people," Modi said, alongside bloc leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
"Pandemics, climate disasters and supply chain disruptions have shown that in today's interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region," Modi said, announcing the bloc agreed to establish an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases aimed at boosting preparedness and response to future outbreaks.
The group in a joint declaration Saturday expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and Sudan and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The bloc reiterated support for a multipolar world order and U.N. reforms, including its Security Council, as well as global financial institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The leaders opposed unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures, and criticized sanctions not authorized by the U.N. They also criticized rising tariffs and nontariff barriers, saying they undermine global trade and supply chains.
The bloc backed greater use of local currencies in trade and stronger cross-border payment systems, and called for cooperation on food security, energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and climate action.
The declaration was a significant breakthrough, as forging consensus among Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – which hold competing positions on key regional and geopolitical issues – posed a complex diplomatic challenge amid ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions.
