As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24, he has painted a new future for the BRICS nations as a beacon for the Global South.
Invited by the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr. Modi expresses his vision of a more robust and progressive association of these major emerging economies.
BRICS: A Platform for the Global South
Before leaving for his four-day visit to South Africa and Greece, Prime Minister Modi stated, “BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system.”
The BRICS, through a cooperative agenda, aims to address developmental issues and aspirations paving the way for a fairer multilateral system that addresses the concerns of the developing world.
The 15th BRICS Summit
At this first in-person BRICS meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic, in Johannesburg, the plan is to discuss the possible expansion of the group.
Other developing economies, such as Iran and Bangladesh, may be invited to join the BRICS, this thought adds a new significance to the meeting.
Mr. Modi also looks forward to engaging with the guest countries invited to the summit. “I look forward to interacting with a number of guest countries that have been invited to participate in this event,” he said.
A Visit to Greece
From Johannesburg, the Prime Minister will fly to Athens on the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
This visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, underscores the vibrant history and future potentials of India-Greece relations. “Contacts between our two civilizations stretch back over two millennia…Our ties have been strengthened by shared values of democracy, rule of law, and pluralism,” Mr. Modi states.
Concluding Thoughts
The BRICS vision as a beacon for the Global South brings a new perspective to this grouping’s role in global politics.
With potential expansion on the cards and a shared vision of a fairer multilateral system, BRICS is paving the way for a more equitable world order.
