BRICS Summit: PM Modi Says Rising Global Crises Are Having a Major Impact on Common People

New Delhi: Sunday is the second and last day of the 18th BRICS summit hosted by India. Leaders of member countries and partner countries gathered at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. In the open session of the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the impact of increasing tensions and crises in the world is now directly visible on the lives of common people. Pandemics, climate disasters and supply chain disruptions have made it clear that in today's interconnected world, no crisis is limited to just one region.

What effect are the increasing crises in the world having on the common people?

PM Modi said that in the current era, it is important to identify the challenges in time and prepare in advance to deal with them. Instead of taking action after the crisis occurs, such a system will have to be prepared which can indicate the possible danger in advance. Under this thinking, resilience has been made a major priority in BRICS. He said that under India's chairmanship, the work of BRICS has been taken forward on the basis of four major pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. The aim of enhancing cooperation in these four areas is to create practical solutions for member countries as well as the broader Global South.

What initiatives were taken in health and disaster management?

The Prime Minister said that a consensus has been reached on BRICS Integrated Early Warning System to deal with infectious diseases. Its objective is to identify potential health crises in time and take action with better coordination among member countries. Apart from this, Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines have been prepared in the field of disaster management. Through this, emphasis has been laid on strengthening the system of sharing disaster related information and early warnings between different countries.

What was done for small businesses and cities?

PM Modi said that BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal has been initiated to promote small enterprises. Its aim is to connect small and medium businesses with knowledge, finance and new markets.

He also mentioned the establishment of BRICS Urban Mobility Hub to share better systems and successful experiments between cities. This will provide a platform to cities from different countries to share experiences related to transportation and urban mobility.

What did PM Modi say regarding development and environment?

The Prime Minister said that development and environment should not be seen as alternatives to each other. Both complement each other. He said that in Indian tradition, nature has been given the status of mother and with this thinking, India has emphasised the balance between human development and environment in BRICS.

He also mentioned the BRICS Digital Center of Excellence for Smart Grid and Energy Storage. Apart from this, efforts are being made to connect traditional knowledge with modern science through centers related to agro-ecology and regenerative agriculture.

What kind of global cooperation does India want from BRICS?

PM Modi said that the solutions being prepared in BRICS should not be limited to only the member countries. Developing countries and the Global South should also benefit from these on a large scale. Under India's chairmanship, emphasis has been laid on making BRICS a platform for more inclusive and practical cooperation.

A group photo of BRICS leaders was also held in the programme of the second day. This was followed by discussion in an open session on inclusive global development. Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral meetings with leaders of many countries on the sidelines of the conference.