Modi conferred the Key to the City of Buenos Aires
Rio de Janeiro/Buenos Aires: At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi championed the cause of the Global South, emphasising that two-thirds of humanity remains underrepresented in outdated 20th-century institutions like the UN Security Council, World Trade Organization, and Multilateral Development Banks. He thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a dynamic summit, describing Brazil’s chairmanship as infusing BRICS with a “double espresso shot” of vitality, and congratulated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Indonesia’s inclusion in the BRICS family.
Modi critiqued global institutions for failing to address modern challenges, including conflicts, pandemics, economic crises, and emerging threats in cyber and space domains, likening them to a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network. He called for a multipolar, inclusive world order through comprehensive reforms in governance structures, voting rights, and leadership roles to prioritise the Global South’s needs, such as climate finance, sustainable development, and equitable technology access, stressing that reforms must deliver a tangible impact, not mere symbolic gestures.
He underscored that 21st-century challenges cannot be met with “20th-century typewriters,” urging BRICS’ adaptability—evident in its expansion—to drive reforms in global bodies like the UN, WTO, and Multilateral Development Banks. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to collaborate with BRICS nations for humanity’s collective interest, transcending national self-interest, and lauded the Indian diaspora in Brazil for their vibrant welcome, noting their deep ties to Indian culture and enthusiasm for India’s progress, sharing glimpses on social media.
Earlier, in a historic bilateral visit to Buenos Aires—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years—Modi marked 75 years of India-Argentina diplomatic relations. Conferred the Key to the City by Jorge Macri, Chief of the City Government, he held comprehensive talks with President Javier Milei at Casa Rosada, exploring enhanced cooperation in critical minerals, oil and gas, defense, nuclear energy, agriculture, science and technology, drones, fisheries, information and communication technology, Digital Public Infrastructure, Unified Payments Interface, space, railways, pharmaceuticals, sports, and cultural exchanges.
The leaders emphasised diversifying bilateral trade to unlock commercial potential and discussed expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. Modi thanked Milei for condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for Argentina’s solidarity in India’s fight against terrorism, with both pledging to strengthen global efforts against this menace. They committed to deepening the strategic partnership and amplifying the Global South’s voice in international forums.
Before departing, Modi paid floral tributes at the busts of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in Buenos Aires, symbolising enduring cultural bonds. Milei expressed gratitude for the historic visit, and Modi invited him to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
– global bihari bureau
