On the Global South and UNSC reformIn his address to the 17th BRICS Summit’s session on Reform of Global Governance, Prime Minister Modi made a clarion call for a multipolar, inclusive world order led by meaningful institutional reform.”The Global South has often faced double standards. Whether it’s about development, distribution of resources, or security-related matters, the interests of the Global South have not been given due importance,” he said.”We often receive nothing more than token gestures on climate finance, sustainable development, and technology access.”Calling the current global governance system outdated, Modi warned against symbolic fixes. “You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters,” he declared.”Reforms must be real — reflected in governance structures, voting rights, and leadership positions. The challenges of the Global South must be central to policy making,” he added.In a notable shift, the Rio Declaration carried BRICS’s strongest-ever language on the need for United Nations Security Council reform.”We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient,” it said.Modi also praised the expansion of BRICS and the inclusion of new partners as a testament to the group’s evolving relevance. “Now, we must demonstrate the same determination to reform institutions like the UN Security Council, the WTO, and Multilateral Development Banks,” he said. “India has always considered it a duty to rise above self-interest and work towards the interest of humanity… We are fully committed to work along with BRICS countries on all matters and provide our constructive contributions,” the prime minister concluded.
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