RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – July 7, 2025 – The 17th BRICS Summit, held this week in Rio de Janeiro, concluded with a powerful reaffirmation of the bloc's commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and pushing for a more inclusive and equitable global governance architecture. For India, a central figure in this evolving landscape, the summit provided a crucial platform to champion the concerns of the Global South and set the stage for its upcoming BRICS presidency.
Under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the summit brought together leaders from the now 11-member BRICS group, which welcomed Indonesia as its latest full member. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan also joined as BRICS partner countries, further expanding the bloc's reach and influence. This expansion is a clear signal of a structural shift in global economic dynamics, with BRICS now representing over 40% of the world's population and a significant portion of global GDP.
Key Outcomes: Beyond Economic Cooperation
The "Rio de Janeiro Declaration," issued at the summit's close, outlined a comprehensive agenda, moving beyond traditional economic cooperation to address pressing global issues.
Reforming Global Governance: A central tenet of the Declaration was the urgent call for a comprehensive reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). BRICS leaders emphasized the need for these bodies to better reflect the contemporary realities of a multipolar world and provide greater representation for developing countries, particularly those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. India, in particular, has been a vocal advocate for these reforms, asserting that 20th-century institutions are ill-equipped to handle 21st-century challenges.
Climate Finance and Action: With COP30 on the horizon (also under Brazilian leadership), the summit saw the adoption of the "BRICS Leaders' Framework Declaration on Climate Finance." This initiative aims to mobilize long-term financing for tropical forest conservation through mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF), encouraging ambitious donations from potential partners. The declaration also underscored BRICS' commitment to combating the climate crisis while strengthening their economies, promoting a collective approach to resource mobilization.
Artificial Intelligence Governance: For the first time, AI governance featured prominently on the BRICS agenda. The "BRICS Leaders' Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence" offered a shared Global South perspective, emphasizing that global AI governance must mitigate potential risks and meet the needs of all countries, ensuring broad and inclusive international collaboration and access. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, emphasized India's ethical and inclusive approach to AI, advocating for responsible regulation.
Health and Social Development: The summit launched the "Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases," highlighting BRICS' commitment to promoting health equity and addressing the root causes of health disparities like poverty and social exclusion. This reflects a broader commitment to inclusive development, with discussions also touching upon youth empowerment, women's rights, disability inclusion, urbanization, and migration management.
Combating Terrorism: In a significant diplomatic win for India, the Rio Declaration condemned in the "strongest terms" the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025, which claimed numerous lives. Prime Minister Modi emphatically stated that terrorism was a grave threat to humanity and called for "zero tolerance" in dealing with this menace, asserting that those funding, promoting, or providing safe havens to terrorists must be dealt with severely. The condemnation, coming from an expanded BRICS, underscores a collective resolve to counter cross-border terrorism and reject double standards.
India's Pivotal Role and Future Presidency
India’s presence at the 17th BRICS Summit was particularly impactful. Prime Minister Modi’s engagements underscored India’s growing influence as a voice for the Global South. He reiterated India's commitment to enhancing the voice of developing nations, highlighting their need for greater support in terms of access to climate finance and technology. India's G20 Presidency theme of "People-centricity and Humanity First" resonated strongly in the BRICS discussions, placing Global South concerns at the core.
Looking ahead, India is set to assume the BRICS presidency in 2026 and will host the 18th BRICS Summit. This presents a crucial opportunity for India to further shape the bloc's vision, with PM Modi already outlining an agenda focused on "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Security," rooted in a people-centric approach. India aims to advance climate justice, promote clean energy and health security, push for continued reforms in global governance, and foster responsible AI regulation.
Challenges and the Path Forward
While the Rio Summit demonstrated a renewed vigor within BRICS and a strong collective voice for the Global South, challenges remain. The diverse nature of the expanded BRICS, encompassing various political systems and economic priorities, necessitates a continuous effort to foster cohesion and consensus. Internal divisions, such as potential competition for influence between India and China, will need careful navigation.
Furthermore, the bloc's push for a rebalanced global order often faces resistance from established Western powers. The recent threat of additional U.S. tariffs on BRICS nations, following the summit's critique of unilateral trade policies, highlights the ongoing geopolitical complexities.
Despite these hurdles, the 17th BRICS Summit marks a defining moment in Global South-led multilateralism. By deepening cooperation across a wider spectrum of issues – from finance and health to AI and climate change – BRICS is solidifying its position as a credible alternative to Western-dominated institutions. India's proactive leadership and its upcoming presidency signal a determined effort to build a more inclusive and sustainable international system, ensuring that the voices and needs of the Global South are heard and addressed on the global stage.
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