At BRICS summit, Modi also calls for reforms in UNSC, IMF, WTO
Advocating a tough stance against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the international community to call out nations backing this scourge and they must be “brought to book.” He also favoured reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Modi made these observations during his address at the Brazil-Russia-China-South Africa (BRICS) conclave. The virtual event was attended by heads of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.
President Vladimir Putin hosted the high-powered conclave. Besides Modi and Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attended the meeting. The 12th summit’s theme was “Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth.”
Incidentally, this was the second time Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping were coming face to face albeit virtually since the stand-offs started between the two nations in Eastern Ladakh in May.
During the first meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on November 10, Modi in a veiled reference to China’s expansionist policy said, “India believes that to improve connectivity it is important to respect the other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Prime Minister Imran Khan was also present at that event.
Modi said, “Terrorism is the biggest problem facing the world today. We have to ensure that the countries that support and assist the terrorists are held accountable, and this problem is tackled in an organised manner.”
The Prime Minister was apparently underlining the role of Pakistan in fanning cross-border terrorism in India and China’s support to it.
He congratulated Russia for the finalisation of the BRICS counter-terrorism strategy under its leadership and promised that India will take forward the matter during its leadership next year.
With the world battling coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s contribution to the international community during the crisis.
Modi said due to the strength of India’s pharmaceutical sector, India was able to provide medicines to over 150 countries during lockdown. He assured the BRICS nations that India’s coronavirus vaccine production and delivery ability will help mankind in the same way.
As India will be taking over the chairmanship of the BRICS in 2021, Modi announced that his country will promote digital health and traditional medicine among BRICS countries.
The summit held against the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of the UN, the leaders discussed intra-BRICS cooperation and key issues in the global context, including the reform of the multilateral system, measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation in counter terrorism, trade, health, energy and people to people exchanges.
Modi highlighted his Government’s flagship Atmanirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India campaign on the BRICS platform. The Prime Minister said the campaign will instill a comprehensive reform process, which can help India become a strong contributor to the global value chains in the post-Covid era.
“We have started a comprehensive reform process under the ‘Self-reliant India’ campaign. The campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant and resilient India post-Covid can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to the global value chains,” Modi said.
He also called for urgent reforms in the United Nations to ensure that the organisation remains relevant. Being a founding nation of the United Nations, India has always upheld its values of multilateralism, “but the organisation has not kept up with the changing times,” he said. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform UN Security Council as well as organisations like IMF and WTO.
The Prime Minister also highlighted reform initiatives undertaken by his government under the ‘self-reliant India” campaign.
“We have started a comprehensive reform process under the ‘Self-reliant India’ campaign. The campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant and resilient India post-Covid can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to the global value chains,” the PM said.
Wednesday, 18 November 2020 | PNS | New Delhi
