New line drawn by Narendra Modi in BRICS, emphasis on independent world and mutual cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to the BRICS to confront a world plagued by rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and strategic rivalry with greater cooperation, inclusive development and a renewed commitment to humanity. He warned that the tendency to use technology and key minerals supply chains as weapons could undermine the foundations of global common development.
In his concluding address at the 18th BRICS Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Modi said BRICS has a responsibility to translate its growing economic and political influence into tangible benefits for the people of the Global South and other regions. He said BRICS cannot remain a silent spectator when conflicts and geopolitical rivalries are affecting economies, supply chains and the lives of ordinary people.
The Prime Minister's address came at the end of the two-day summit, hosted by India under its 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Meanwhile, New Delhi sought to place flexibility, innovation, cooperation and sustainability at the core of the BRICS vision in a rapidly changing global context.
Modi emphasized that cooperation should remain the guiding principle of BRICS at a time when the effects of geopolitical tensions are reaching far beyond war-torn regions. "Ultimately, common people have to pay the price in the form of economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, rising prices and reduced opportunities," he said.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the need for stronger cooperation and more inclusive development, saying that the interests of humanity should be at the center of the BRICS agenda.
He also warned strongly against the growing trend of "weaponization" of technology and key minerals. Both issues have emerged as major strategic issues amid growing competition over artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced technology, energy transition resources and global supply chains. Modi warned that concentrating or manipulating key technologies and mineral resources in a few hands could create barriers that undermine equal access to growth and prosperity. The warning has strategic significance for the enlarged BRICS group, which represents a large portion of the world's population, economic activity and natural resources. Modi's views reflect India's broader stance that the next phase of globalization should not depend on weak or politically controlled supply chains. Instead, he advocated a robust system in which technology, resources, and economic opportunities were used for broad-based development, not as a means of geopolitical pressure.
Reiterating India's stance on international disputes, Modi said India stands firmly with dialogue and diplomacy rather than war. His emphasis on a peaceful solution came against a backdrop of multiple conflicts and growing strategic rivalries and further highlighted New Delhi's attempt to present BRICS as a platform for cooperation rather than confrontation. He made it clear that India's approach is based on the belief that differences between countries can be resolved through communication, negotiation and diplomacy rather than the use of force.
Modi also reiterated his call for reforms in the institutions that support the global system and said that global governance structures should reflect the current geopolitical and economic realities. He emphasized on timely reforms in institutions including the United Nations Security Council, World Trade Organization and multilateral development banks.
This demand is an important part of India's long-standing diplomatic position that the current structure of global governance rests on the foundations of a bygone era and does not adequately reflect the aspirations of developing countries or the changing distribution of global economic and political power. The Prime Minister stressed that BRICS should continuously highlight the concerns and issues of the Global South and ensure that developing countries have an effective voice in decisions related to international trade, finance, development, technology and security. Global South India BRICS has been a major theme of the presidency. New Delhi has sought to present the enlarged BRICS not merely as an economic alliance but as an influential platform for countries seeking a more balanced, representative and inclusive international system.
Modi also welcomed the continued expansion of BRICS, but stressed that the inclusion of new partner countries should be on the basis of consensus. He said that India is ready to welcome new countries as BRICS partners, provided decisions in this regard are taken unanimously.
This emphasis on consensus reflects India's preference for an enlargement process that strengthens the unity and effectiveness of BRICS, rather than undermining the capacity for collective action through rapid membership expansion.
This summit marks another important stage in the evolution of BRICS. Beyond the initial core members, the group now includes countries with significantly different political systems, economic structures, strategic interests and regional priorities. So the challenge before India as president was not only to highlight the growing weight of BRICS, but also to forge a viable common agenda among the increasingly diverse membership.
Modi's closing address sought to frame this agenda around four broad pillars: resilience in the face of global crises, innovation as an engine of growth, cooperation as an alternative to division, and sustainability as an imperative for long-term prosperity.
The concept also reflects India's attempt to project BRICS in a positive and forward-looking manner. Instead of portraying BRICS as an alternative power to Western-led institutions, New Delhi has sought to make it a vehicle for practical cooperation and a stronger voice for developing countries in a rapidly changing global system.
The main point of Modi's closing message was that BRICS' growing global influence will only gain real meaning if it can help make globalization more inclusive, development more equitable and international cooperation stronger.
As India concludes its 2026 BRICS presidency, Modi has projected the future of BRICS against a backdrop of geopolitical fragmentation, technological change and growing competition over strategic resources. He called for the group to respond, rather than further division, through cooperation that places humanity, inclusive development and shared prosperity at the center of the emerging global order.
This vision for India also underpins its broader diplomatic stance, which includes strategic sovereignty, a stronger voice in the Global South and reform of the multilateral system. A system in which the institutions that shape the global economy and international security more accurately reflect the realities of the 21st century.
He said that sustainability is not only a responsibility to protect the environment but also a commitment to future generations. According to Modi, BRICS cooperation in the field of smart grids and energy storage through digital excellence centers can help make clean energy systems more reliable, efficient and accessible. BRICS is also promoting centers of excellence in the areas of agro-ecology and regenerative agriculture, which aim to combine traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods. The principles formulated for community-based climate adaptation seek to give greater importance to local and traditional knowledge in developing effective ways of dealing with climate change.
Modi said that the ultimate test of BRICS cooperation will be whether initiatives developed within the organization can be beneficial to countries outside the member states as well. He said, "The solutions developed in BRICS should not be limited to BRICS only." He emphasized that these solutions should be made applicable and accessible according to the needs of the Global South. gives and acknowledges their experiences, rather than seeing them simply as countries seeking solutions.
Modi said, "Based on my personal experience, I can say that the confidence of the countries of the Global South has increased in BRICS, because in BRICS their voice is heard, their experiences are respected and solutions are developed not for them but with them."