BRICS Summit: PM Modi, UN Chief Discuss Urgent Changes To Global Governance Framework

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday discussed the need for greater multipolarity and reforms in global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the national capital. The talks focused on the changing international order and the need for multilateral institutions to better reflect contemporary geopolitical and economic realities. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders also exchanged views on several pressing global challenges, including ongoing conflicts, freedom of navigation, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and global food security.

The MEA said Modi and Guterres underscored the significance of multipolarity at a time when the international system is undergoing significant changes. They also highlighted the need to reform multilateral institutions so that their structures and decision-making mechanisms are more representative of the realities of the present world. The UN Security Council was specifically discussed in this context. India has consistently called for reforms to the Security Council, arguing that its current composition does not adequately represent the contemporary global distribution of population, economies and political influence. The issue has remained a key element of India's position on reforming the international multilateral system.

Guterres also congratulated Modi on India's chairship of BRICS for the fourth time, according to the MEA statement. India's leadership of the grouping provides an important platform for discussions among major emerging economies on international cooperation, development and global governance. The BRICS grouping has increasingly focused on issues extending beyond economic cooperation, including strengthening the voice of developing countries in global institutions. India's emphasis on a more representative international order has also been linked to its broader engagement with developing nations and its calls for reforms in institutions created in an earlier geopolitical era.

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During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed ongoing conflicts around the world and the importance of freedom of navigation. Maritime security and uninterrupted navigation have become increasingly important concerns for the global economy, particularly as geopolitical tensions in different regions have affected trade routes and supply chains. Ensuring freedom of navigation is closely connected to the movement of energy, food and other essential goods across international waters. Modi and Guterres also exchanged views on sustainable development, reflecting the continuing importance of balancing economic growth with environmental protection and inclusive development.

Artificial intelligence was another area discussed during the meeting, with both leaders focusing on the importance of human-centric AI. The rapid development of AI has generated opportunities across sectors while also raising questions about responsible use, safety, access and the impact of technology on societies and economies. India has been advocating greater international cooperation on emerging technologies and has stressed the importance of ensuring that technological progress remains inclusive and beneficial to people. The discussion with the UN chief therefore placed AI within the wider framework of sustainable and people-centred global development.

The leaders also discussed progress in renewable energy and the challenge of ensuring global food security. Renewable energy has become a central part of international efforts to address climate change and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, while food security remains a major concern amid conflicts, economic disruptions and climate-related challenges. The wide-ranging discussion between Modi and Guterres underscored the interconnected nature of these issues and the importance of coordinated international action. Their meeting at the BRICS Summit also highlighted India's continued push for stronger multilateral cooperation and reforms aimed at making global institutions more responsive to the realities of the 21st century.

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