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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the BRICS summit in Brazil underscores India's commitment to engaging with key nations of the Global South and addressing critical global challenges. The summit, held from July 5-7, is expected to feature a declaration denouncing the Pahalgam terror attack, reflecting India's firm stance against terrorism. This declaration is significant as it demonstrates solidarity from BRICS nations towards India's concerns about cross-border terrorism. The inclusion of a strong statement against terrorism in the BRICS declaration would align with India's long-standing efforts to advocate for a united global approach to combating terrorism. The summit will also provide a platform for discussions on various other critical issues, including global governance, artificial intelligence, climate finance, and the elimination of socially determined diseases. These discussions are crucial for fostering international cooperation and addressing pressing global challenges collectively. The expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025, further solidifies its position as a significant platform for emerging economies. This expansion reflects the growing importance of BRICS in shaping the global economic and political landscape. The summit is also expected to address the Iran-Israel conflict, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the need for peaceful resolution. Modi's visit to Brazil and other nations in the Global South aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, defense and security, trade, digital public infrastructure, and energy. These partnerships are essential for promoting economic growth, enhancing security cooperation, and fostering technological advancements. India's refusal to sign a joint statement at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet due to the absence of a reference to the Pahalgam terror attack further highlights its unwavering commitment to addressing terrorism-related concerns on international platforms. This firm stance reflects India's determination to ensure that its security concerns are adequately addressed in multilateral forums. The BRICS summit provides an opportunity for India to engage with other member states and promote its interests in a cooperative and constructive manner. The focus on alternative mechanisms for conducting trade and projects in national currencies reflects a broader trend towards diversifying financial systems and reducing reliance on the US dollar. This initiative aims to enhance economic resilience and promote greater financial autonomy for emerging economies. The summit's focus on global governance and artificial intelligence underscores the importance of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by these emerging technologies. International cooperation is crucial for ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner. The discussions on climate finance are also essential for mobilizing resources to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The BRICS summit serves as a valuable platform for India to advance its strategic interests, strengthen its ties with other emerging economies, and contribute to shaping the global agenda.
The BRICS nations, representing a significant portion of the global population, GDP, and trade, have become increasingly influential in international affairs. The forum allows for collaborative efforts on a range of issues that are crucial to the development and prosperity of emerging economies. The inclusion of the denouncement of the Pahalgam terror attack within the BRICS declaration demonstrates a recognition of the shared security concerns among member states. This united front against terrorism bolsters India's position on the global stage and strengthens its efforts to counter cross-border threats. The strategic importance of the BRICS alliance for India cannot be overstated. The forum provides India with a vital platform for engaging with other major economies, sharing best practices, and advocating for its interests on a wide range of global issues. The discussions at the summit regarding climate finance, for example, are particularly relevant given India's commitment to sustainable development and its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The emphasis on alternative mechanisms for trade, including the use of national currencies, reflects a broader shift towards economic diversification and reduced reliance on traditional financial systems. This trend is particularly important for emerging economies that seek to enhance their financial stability and autonomy. The focus on global governance underscores the need for reforms to international institutions to better reflect the changing global power dynamics. India has long advocated for greater representation in international organizations, and the BRICS forum provides a valuable platform for advancing this agenda. The discussions on artificial intelligence are also crucial, given the rapid pace of technological advancements and the potential implications for economic growth and social development. India has a significant stake in ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner, and the BRICS forum provides a valuable opportunity for sharing best practices and promoting international cooperation in this area. The expansion of the BRICS alliance to include new member states reflects its growing influence and importance in the global arena. This expansion further strengthens the forum's collective bargaining power and enhances its ability to shape the global agenda. The BRICS summit provides a valuable opportunity for India to strengthen its strategic partnerships, advance its economic interests, and contribute to shaping a more just and equitable global order. The engagement with other emerging economies through the BRICS platform is essential for promoting sustainable development, enhancing security cooperation, and fostering technological advancements.
Beyond the formal BRICS summit, Prime Minister Modi's bilateral visits to countries like Brazil, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia are equally significant. These visits provide opportunities to strengthen diplomatic ties, explore potential areas of cooperation, and address specific bilateral issues. The focus on critical minerals, defense and security, trade, digital public infrastructure, and energy during these visits reflects India's strategic priorities and its desire to build mutually beneficial partnerships with these nations. For example, Brazil's interest in India's Akash air defense systems and offshore patrol vessels highlights the potential for cooperation in the defense sector. Similarly, the exploration of possible cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector between India and Brazil underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. The emphasis on digital public infrastructure reflects India's expertise and its willingness to share its knowledge and experience with other developing countries. India has made significant strides in developing digital infrastructure, and it is well-positioned to assist other countries in their efforts to build similar systems. The focus on critical minerals reflects the growing importance of these resources in the global economy and India's desire to secure access to these vital materials. By diversifying its sources of critical minerals, India can enhance its economic security and reduce its reliance on any single supplier. The engagement with countries in the Global South is particularly important given the shared challenges and opportunities faced by these nations. By working together, these countries can address issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, and promote sustainable development. India's participation in the BRICS summit and its bilateral visits to other countries in the Global South demonstrate its commitment to multilateralism and its desire to build a more just and equitable global order. The summit provides a valuable opportunity for India to advance its strategic interests, strengthen its partnerships, and contribute to shaping the global agenda. The engagement with other emerging economies is essential for promoting sustainable development, enhancing security cooperation, and fostering technological advancements. By working together, these countries can address the challenges of the 21st century and create a better future for their citizens.