17th BRICS Summit 2025: Prime Minister Modi Advocates for Unity Among Global South, adoption of Responsible Artificial Intelligence, and Urgent Institutional Changes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6-7, 2025, where he highlighted the importance of climate-resilient farming, multilateral reforms, and sustainable development.
During the summit, the BRICS nations approved the establishment of a BRICS Grain Exchange, aimed at enhancing food security and facilitating trade in agricultural products among member countries. This initiative will help promote climate-resilient agriculture by sharing best practices and resources.
The BRICS countries are also encouraging climate-resilient agriculture to address the impacts of climate change on food production. This involves adopting sustainable farming methods and technologies that can help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions.
In terms of multilateral cooperation, the BRICS nations are committed to capacity building and knowledge sharing, focusing on research and development to improve agricultural productivity and resilience. They are also discussing the establishment of a BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Agency within the New Development Bank (NDB) to reduce the risk of financing infrastructure projects, which will help secure investments for sustainable development initiatives, including those in agriculture.
While the specific focus on AI use in agriculture was not detailed in the summit discussions, the establishment of the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competence with UNIDO and a Startup Knowledge Hub suggests an intent to foster technological advancements and innovation across various sectors, including agriculture.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the growing relevance of BRICS in a world facing geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty. He also proposed a demand-driven and sustainable approach by the BRICS New Development Bank and suggested extending the benefits of the platform to other developing nations.
In addition, PM Modi highlighted the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform, an initiative established in India, as a tool to strengthen agricultural research. He announced that India would host an "AI Impact Summit" in 2026, inviting participation from all BRICS nations.
The summit also reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, peace, and technological cooperation, as outlined in the Rio de Janeiro Declaration. PM Modi thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his warm hospitality and leadership, regarding the summit as a "meaningful step" towards shaping a multipolar world.
Moreover, PM Modi urged BRICS leaders to take strong action against nations that fund or shelter terrorists, without naming any country. He also strongly reiterated India's stance on reforming outdated global institutions, specifically the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank. He received support from the BRICS bloc for a united front against terrorism, advocating for zero tolerance.
In conclusion, the BRICS Summit 2025 emphasized several key areas, including climate-resilient farming, multilateral reforms, and overall sustainable development. The BRICS nations are prioritizing collaboration and innovation in agriculture through initiatives like the Grain Exchange and by promoting sustainable development practices. These efforts aim to ensure food security and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
The BRICS Centre for Industrial Competence, established with UNIDO, indicates a focus on fostering technological advancements in various sectors, including agriculture. Prime Minister Modi also announced India would host an "AI Impact Summit" in 2026, inviting all BRICS nations, further emphasizing the importance of technology in agriculture.
The BRICS nations are also discussing the establishment of a BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Agency within the New Development Bank to secure investments for sustainable development initiatives, suggesting a commitment to policy-and-legislation that facilitates technological advancements in various sectors, notably agriculture.
