Prime Minister Modi Calls for Reformed Multilateralism, Responsible AI, and Stronger BRICS Cooperation at Brazil Summit
During his address at the BRICS Outreach Summit held in Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the urgent need to reinforce multilateral institutions, strengthen economic collaboration, and ensure ethical and transparent governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in today’s fast-evolving global landscape.
Speaking at the thematic session titled “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Matters, and Artificial Intelligence,” the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for extending an invitation to India to share its perspectives alongside nations from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, regions representing the broader voice of the Global South.
“It is a great pleasure to join this important meeting with friends from our extended BRICS family,” said Modi. “My sincere thanks to President Lula for giving me the opportunity to put forth India’s ideas in front of countries that are not only geographically diverse but also share a common vision for a fairer global system.”
BRICS as a Pillar in a Multipolar World
Prime Minister Modi observed that in an increasingly unpredictable world, where global power dynamics are rapidly shifting and multilateral institutions are under strain, BRICS has emerged as a vital platform of stability and influence.
“Today, as geopolitical tensions rise and the world navigates through various challenges — economic volatility, climate concerns, technological disruptions, and more — BRICS naturally assumes greater relevance. Our belief in a multipolar and multicultural global order is our biggest strength,” Modi stated.
He further called on member nations and partner countries to work together to elevate BRICS into a leading force for positive change and inclusive global governance in the 21st century.
Four Key Proposals for Deeper Cooperation
Outlining India’s vision for the future of BRICS, the Prime Minister laid out four strategic suggestions:
Enhanced Economic Cooperation:
Modi emphasized the steady progress made by the BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women Business Alliance, which he said were playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-border entrepreneurship and innovation. He also appreciated Brazil’s focus on initiating reforms within the international financial architecture, particularly under its current BRICS presidency.Transformation of Multilateral Institutions:
Stressing that global institutions like the United Nations, IMF, and World Bank no longer reflect current realities, Modi called for urgent reforms to make them more representative and effective. He said it was time for voices from developing nations to shape the governance structures of tomorrow.
AI Governance with a Human-Centric Approach:
A significant portion of Modi’s address was devoted to Artificial Intelligence. While acknowledging AI’s transformative potential — from improving productivity in agriculture to advancing public healthcare and education — he also highlighted serious concerns regarding ethical risks, misuse, and digital manipulation.
“India believes in the principle of ‘AI for All’. For us, AI must be used as a tool to enhance human dignity and potential, not replace or endanger it,” he said.
Modi called for global norms and protocols that would ensure transparency and accountability in the use of AI technologies. He emphasized the importance of developing tools to verify the authenticity and source of digital content, especially in the context of deepfakes and misinformation, to protect democratic values and ensure public trust.
India to Host AI Impact Summit:
To promote global dialogue on responsible AI innovation, Prime Minister Modi announced that India will host the AI Impact Summit in 2026, inviting all partner countries to participate actively. He expressed hope that the summit would pave the way for practical cooperation and consensus-building on ethical AI development.
Reaffirming Commitment to the Global South
Reiterating India’s long-standing support for countries of the Global South, Prime Minister Modi stated that BRICS must act as a voice for developing nations, and not merely as a club of emerging economies.
“The countries of the Global South are looking up to us with hope. We must rise to the occasion and lead by example. India stands fully committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to achieve shared developmental goals,” he said.
