Two-thirds of humanity still lack proper representation in 20th century global institutions: PM Modi
The majority of the world’s population is not properly represented in key global institutions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (July 6, 2025), addressing fellow leaders of emerging nations at the BRICS summit in Rio De Janeiro.
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The BRICS Leaders’ Declaration, adopted at the summit in the Brazilian city on Sunday (July 6, 2025), reflected India’s key concerns, especially on cross-border terrorism and global governance reforms..
Noting that the Global South has often faced “double standards”, the Prime Minister called for a greater role for the developing world in international decision-making, speaking at the BRICS session on Peace, Security, and Reform of Global Governance.
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“Two-thirds of humanity still lack proper representation in global institutions built in the 20th century. Many countries that play a key role in today’s global economy are yet to be given a seat at the decision-making table. This is not just about representation, it’s also about credibility and effectiveness,” Mr. Modi said, reiterating that global institutions have “failed to offer effective solutions”.
The Prime Minister welcomed the expansion of BRICS, saying that it shows the grouping’s ability to “evolve with the times”.
BRICS condemns Pahalgam attack
Reflecting some of India’s core concerns, the declaration adopted by BRICS leaders condemned the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in the “strongest terms”, and called for a more “representative” international order. BRICS leaders expressed commitment to combat terrorism, including “cross border” terrorism, and called for “expeditious finalization” of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the framework of the UN. The leaders also welcomed Indonesia as a new member state of BRICS and described the Israel-U.S. military strikes against Iran as a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
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“We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” the BRICS Leaders Declaration said, in an explicit condemnation of the terror attack in Pahalgam that led to India’s punitive strikes on targets inside Pakistan.
Supports Palestinian rights
The declaration described the Gaza Strip as an “inseparable” part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. “We underline, in this regard, the importance of unifying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority, and reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine,” it said, expressing an “unwavering commitment” to the two-state solution.
“[A] just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfillment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return,” the declaration said. It also called for the “full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and all other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, and called on Hamas to release “all hostages and detainees held in violation of international law”.
‘Attack on Iran violated international law’
The BRICS Leaders Declaration termed the Israel-U.S. attack on Iran as a “violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations”. The leaders expressed “serious concern” over the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, which they labelled “deliberate”. The declaration added: “Nuclear safeguards, safety and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts to protect people and the environment from harm.”
Terrorism in Syria also received attention from the BRICS leaders, who condemned the violence and killings of civilians by the ISIL (Daesh) and Al Qaeda-linked terror groups in the country.
Advocates UNSC reform
The BRICS Leaders Declaration recorded support from Russia and China — both permanent members of the UN Security Council — for the “aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council”.
“We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries,” the declaration said, noting that reforming the UN Security Council would amplify the voice of the Global South.
Existing members welcomed new BRICS partner countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — and called for the promotion of “dialogue and consultations” among developing countries. “We believe BRICS countries continue to play a pivotal role in voicing the concerns and priorities of the Global South, as well as promoting a more just, sustainable, inclusive, representative and stable international order based on international law,” the declaration said. It also supported the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Published – July 06, 2025 10:53 pm IST
