At the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is no longer a choice but an absolute necessity. He pointed out that current global governance structures are significantly out of sync with the realities of the 21st century.
Prime Minister Modi also stressed the critical need for strong coordination among IBSA nations to combat terrorism, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy and the absence of any justification for double standards. He highlighted the potential of the IBSA forum to foster the creation of global norms for Artificial Intelligence (AI) that are safe, reliable, and centered around human well-being.
Further, he proposed the establishment of the ‘IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance.’ This initiative aims to facilitate the sharing of groundbreaking Digital Public Infrastructure, such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and its CoWIN platform for health management. The Prime Minister underscored the significance of IBSA as more than just a trilateral grouping; it represents a vital connection across three continents, three major democratic nations, and three significant economies.
According to official statements, Modi also highlighted the synergistic potential within IBSA for mutual development and serving as a model for sustainable economic growth. Specific areas for enhanced cooperation include millets, natural farming practices, disaster resilience, the transition to green energy, traditional medicine, and bolstering health security.
Recognizing the impactful work of the IBSA Fund in supporting projects across 40 developing nations in sectors like education, health, women’s empowerment, and solar energy, Prime Minister Modi put forward a proposal for an ‘IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture.’ This aims to further strengthen South-South cooperation in addressing climate change challenges.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Johannesburg prior to the G20 Summit, expressing gratitude to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the warm reception and for hosting the important summit. This visit marked his fourth official engagement in South Africa, following previous visits in 2016 and for BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. South Africa is currently hosting the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, a significant event following the African Union’s inclusion as a member of the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023.