PM Modi Calls for Global Institutional Reforms to Reflect Multipolar, Inclusive World Order

During the opening session of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling call for overhauling global institutions to reflect the realities of a multipolar and inclusive world.

Emphasizing that meaningful reforms must go beyond symbolism, he said such changes should bring about real, measurable impact, especially in terms of governance structures, leadership roles, and decision-making authority.

PM Modi strongly advocated for a transformation in the global order that truly includes the voice of the Global South.

He highlighted that these countries continue to face systemic inequities—whether in development, resource allocation, or security concerns—and are often subject to double standards.

The Prime Minister noted that despite contributing significantly to the global economy and population, many nations in the Global South still lack proper representation in key international institutions.

Raising concerns about tokenism, Modi pointed out that issues critical to developing countries—such as climate finance, sustainable development, and access to technology—often receive only superficial attention.

He warned that if the concerns of the Global South continue to be sidelined, the legitimacy and effectiveness of global institutions will remain compromised.

Using a powerful metaphor, the Prime Minister likened the current state of global governance to a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network, suggesting that without the Global South, these institutions are ineffective and disconnected from the world’s broader realities.

Modi underscored the failures of global institutions in responding to key crises, including ongoing global conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and emerging challenges in cyberspace and outer space.

He firmly stated that institutions like the United Nations Security Council, the World Trade Organization, and the Multilateral Development Banks must undergo comprehensive reforms.

Calling for urgent change, Modi remarked that the world cannot solve 21st-century challenges with 20th-century tools, saying, “21st-century software cannot run on 20th-century typewriters.”

His message was clear: the time for transformation is now, and it must begin with making international institutions more inclusive, credible, and responsive to the needs of all nations.