From pyramid of power to platform of partnership: PM roots for Global South

A greater voice for the Global South was at the heart of PM Modi's opening remarks as the chair of the 18th BRICS Summit.

In a major pitch for the Global South, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that developing countries must move from being "rule-takers" to "rule-shapers". Giving a greater voice to the Global South, which comprises economically weaker and developing nations, was the key theme of PM Modi's opening remarks as chair of the 18th BRICS Summit.

With Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Putin in attendance, PM Modi pointed to what he called a stark imbalance in global governance. The Prime Minister underlined that while countries of the Global South were on the "front row" when it comes to facing global challenges, they remain in the "back row" when decisions are made.

GLOBAL SOUTH PITCH

"The current structure of global governance resembles a pyramid - power and decision-making are concentrated at the top, while the lower tiers consist of nations that are affected by these decisions yet unable to shape them," PM Modi said.

"We must work to transform the Global South from rule-takers into rule-shapers," he further said.

PM Modi asserted that the imbalance needed to be addressed by giving Global South countries a greater role in shaping global rules and institutions.

However, the Prime Minister made it clear at the outset that BRICS was not directed against any country.

"We are not against anyone. Rather, we strive to move forward with the approach of taking everyone along," Modi said.

PM SUGGESTS 10-POINT ROADMAP

He pointed out that a "new and ambitious agenda" was required for the next two decades. For this, he suggested a 10-point roadmap that should focus on three pillars - representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

Key among them, PM Modi stressed, was UN Security Council reforms. The Prime Minister said reform of the UNSC "can no longer be delayed".

PM Modi also argued that voting power, leadership positions and policy priorities in global financial institutions should reflect economic realities.

"Countries who give momentum to global growth should have a say in global decision-making," he asserted.

The BRICS presidency rotates every year. On this, PM Modi proposed a mechanism to ensure that changes in BRICS leadership do not disrupt the grouping's institutional momentum.

The Prime Minister proposed that BRICS initiatives and outcomes would be followed up through the 'Troika' (the past, present, and incoming chair countries).

He also suggested creating a secure digital repository to track every decision, a timeline and its current status.

With the Iran conflict laying bare the vulnerabilities of shipping, PM Modi proposed a seafarers' emergency support Network among BRICS nations. He said it would go a long way in strengthening assistance to seafarers in distress.

The network will facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and evacuation support, the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, in a big breakthrough for India as the chair of the BRICS, a consensus was reached on a joint statement. The declaration will "deplore" all kinds of aggression without naming any country. It assumes significance in the view of ongoing conflict in Middle East.

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