New Delhi, September 13: During India’s BRICS presidency, all efforts were focused on four key pillars—Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. The Prime Minister said that with the cooperation and support of all member countries, efforts were made to transform the shared vision into meaningful win-win cooperation.
He said that the number of tensions and conflicts in the world is continuously increasing, having a significant and negative impact on the lives of ordinary people. Pandemics, climate disasters and supply-chain disruptions have demonstrated that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region.
Therefore, special emphasis has been placed on strengthening resilience within BRICS. Identifying challenges in time, preparing for them and responding quickly are equally important.
Strengthening Health and Disaster Preparedness
With this approach, agreement has been reached on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases. Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines have also been prepared for disaster management.
The BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework will help make supply chains more reliable and resilient.
Promoting Innovation and Start-ups
Under the Innovation pillar, the BRICS Incubator Network will connect start-ups and incubators across member countries. To promote innovative and scalable solutions, India has proposed a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund.
The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will create new opportunities for farmers by connecting AI, geospatial technology and Digital Public Infrastructure with their actual needs.
The Prime Minister said that the weaponization of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress. Therefore, emphasis has been placed on ensuring inclusivity in technology adoption.
Expanding Participation Beyond Governments
India has sought to promote friendship, participation and cooperation through the BRICS platform. The effort has been to ensure that BRICS cooperation does not remain limited to governments.
Entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth and ordinary citizens are also being encouraged to become active participants.
Through BRICS CONNECT, efforts have been made to promote skills, employability, women’s participation in the workforce, social security and capacity building.
The BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal has been initiated to connect small enterprises with knowledge, finance and new markets. The BRICS Urban Mobility Hub has also been established to facilitate the sharing of best practices among cities.
Sustainability and Environmental Protection
The Prime Minister said that in Indian civilization, nature has traditionally been revered as a mother. For centuries, India has believed that development and environmental protection are not alternatives to each other but are complementary.
This philosophy forms the foundation of Sustainability and reflects our responsibility towards future generations.
In this direction, the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage has been established. It will help make clean energy systems more reliable, efficient and accessible.
The Centers of Excellence for Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture will connect traditional knowledge with modern science. Principles developed for community-based climate adaptation will make indigenous knowledge an important foundation for climate action.
Strengthening Global South Cooperation
Advancing on these four pillars, BRICS has sought to promote inclusive global growth. The Prime Minister said that solutions developed through BRICS should not benefit only BRICS countries. They should be made adaptable and accessible according to the needs of the Global South.
He said that, based on his personal experience, the confidence of Global South countries in BRICS has increased because their voices are heard, their experiences are respected, and solutions are developed with them, rather than merely for them.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the strength of BRICS lies in its diversity and cooperation.
“We may be rooted in different realities, but together, we rise through cooperation, and blossom for humanity.”
He concluded by saying that diversity should remain the identity of BRICS, cooperation should remain its inspiration, and its progress should serve the interests of all humanity.
He thanked all the participants for their cooperation and support.
