Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participating in the 17th BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, highlighted India's clear and visionary approach to global issues such as climate change, health security, and sustainable development.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying India's perspective at the 17th BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, announced that India will assume the BRICS presidency in 2026 and will strive to give it a new direction with the motto of "Humanity First." This will be the first time India will lead an expanded BRICS (which now includes new member countries), and the aim is to further strengthen its global image.
BRICS 2026: Winds of Change Under India's Presidency
Prime Minister Modi clarified that under India's leadership, BRICS will no longer be just a political and economic platform, but will be guided towards becoming people-centric, innovation-supported, and the voice of the Global South. He stated that the central agenda of India's presidency will be resilience, innovation, and sustainable development, with environmental protection and public health being given top priority.
Addressing the BRICS session, Prime Minister Modi said that for India, climate change is not merely an environmental or energy-related issue. It is about the balance between life and nature. Climate justice is a moral responsibility for us, from which we cannot back down. Modi, mentioning initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Mission LiFE, explained that India does not consider environmental responsibilities separate from development, but rather believes in taking both forward together.
Global Health: The Mantra of ‘One Earth, One Health’
Recalling India's role during the COVID pandemic, the Prime Minister said that the country provided health assistance globally and is now ready to share digital health missions with other developing countries as well. He said that the spirit of "One Earth, One Health" has now become the backbone of India's public health policies.
He supported the proposed BRICS health partnership to eliminate socially determined diseases, stating that this initiative would empower public health and help connect the Global South with new health technologies.
‘BRICS 2.0’: A New Form, a New Purpose
PM Modi resolved to present BRICS as a 'BRICS 2.0' under the upcoming presidency. He stated that the organization should now be seen as a leading platform for innovation, capacity building, and global policy-making. Just as we gave voice to the priorities of the Global South during the G-20 presidency, we will also work with the spirit of ‘Humanity First’ at the center during the BRICS presidency, Modi emphasized.
Modi clarified that India's presidency would prioritize the problems of the Global South, meaning developing and backward countries. He said that India would make these countries partners in development, digital transformation, green energy, and health innovations, so that BRICS could work towards an inclusive, just, and sustainable future.
