'Not option, but necessity': PM Modi calls for UNSC reforms at IBSA meet; urges united stand against terror

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said reforming the UN security council was “no longer an option, but a necessity,” urging India, Brazil and South Africa to send a clear signal for overhauling global governance structures.

He was speaking at the IBSA leaders’ summit, attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, reported PTI.


PM Modi said IBSA’s message of unity and cooperation was crucial at a time when the world appeared increasingly polarised. Stressing tighter security collaboration, he proposed institutionalising an NSA-level dialogue, adding, “In the fight against terrorism, we must move forward in close coordination. There is no place for any double standards on such a serious issue.”

Placing strong emphasis on technology-driven development, the PM called for creating an ‘IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance’ to enable the sharing of digital public infrastructure such as UPI, platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and initiatives led by women in technology.

The PM also noted the impact of the IBSA fund, which has supported projects in about 40 countries across sectors including education, health and solar energy. He suggested the formation of an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to expand South-South cooperation.

Terming the meeting timely, Modi highlighted that it coincided with the first G20 Summit held on African soil and followed four consecutive G20 presidencies by Global South nations, three of which were led by IBSA members. These, he said, helped advance discussions on human-centric development, sustainable growth and multilateral reform.

Calling IBSA a platform linking three continents, democracies and major economies, Modi invited leaders to the AI Impact Summit in India next year, noting the group’s ability to shape norms for safe and trustworthy AI.

He pointed to opportunities for collaboration in millets, natural farming, green energy, disaster resilience, traditional medicine and health security, saying IBSA nations can complement one another’s development pathways and demonstrate models for sustainable growth.

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