Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg on Sunday, urged the three countries to tighten their cooperation against terrorism, stressing that “no double standards” should be tolerated in such a serious fight. He suggested that the IBSA National Security Advisor level dialogue be institutionalised to ensure steady, high‑level coordination.
In his remarks, the PM highlighted that the global institutions of today no longer reflect the realities of the 21st century, noting that none of India, Brazil or South Africa sits on the UN Security Council. “This underlines the need for IBSA to send a clear message worldwide that institutional reform is not an option but a necessity,” he said.
Modi also warned that terrorism demands a united approach. “In 2021, the first meeting of the three NSA’s took place under India’s IBSA chairmanship. We should make this institutional to strengthen security cooperation,” he added.
The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of technology in shaping a human‑centred future. He envisioned a role for IBSA in emerging sectors like digital public infrastructure (UPI), health platforms such as CoWIN, cybersecurity, and women‑led tech initiatives. “By establishing an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance, we can share best practices, accelerate our digital economies, and offer scalable solutions for the Global South,” Modi said. He also suggested launching this initiative at the forthcoming AI Impact Summit in India next year to help build safe, reliable AI norms.
Describing IBSA as “an important platform” that links three continents, three major democracies, and three large economies, the PM reflected on its deep, intimate bond built on diversity and shared values. He remarked that the current Johannesburg meeting is historic and timely, occurring during the first G20 Summit hosted by a Global South country on the African island, following a run of four consecutive G20 presidencies held by the IBSA trio. Over the past three G20 summits, the group has taken significant steps on human‑centred development, multilateral reform, and sustainable growth, and Modi proposed further ways to build on those achievements.
South Africa currently chairs IBSA, a forum that brought together India, Brazil and South Africa as some of the largest democracies and economies across three continents, tackling comparable challenges. The grouping was formalised as the IBSA Dialogue Forum during the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brasília on 6 June 2023.
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