17th BRICS Summit 2025: India’s Key Role in Shaping Global South Diplomacy and the Rio Declaration -

From July 6–7, 2025, Rio de Janeiro hosted the 17th annual BRICS Summit under Brazil’s Chair, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. With the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, the summit aimed to balance expansion with cohesion and address growing geopolitical fault lines.

Expanding the Bloc – And Its Challenges

Originally founded by the “BRIC” nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China), and later joined by South Africa to become BRICS, the group has rapidly expanded. In 2025, it welcomed Indonesia as a full member, alongside a dozen “partner countries” including Belarus, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Vietnam. This broadened representation enriches BRICS’ global footprint but also complicates consensus, as member-states mix divergent political systems and competing priorities. The summit saw several absences: Xi Jinping (China) and Vladimir Putin (Russia) participated virtually due to health and ICC-related reasons. Middle Eastern members like Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt also stayed away because of regional tensions.

The “Rio de Janeiro Declaration” — A Strategic Plan for Transformation

The summit culminated in the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, echoing the Bern and Kazan frameworks but with new additions appropriate to the bloc’s expanded scope.

Global Governance Reform – Reaffirmed calls for United Nations Security Council expansion and democratic reform of IMF, World Bank, and the WTO, to better reflect Global South interests. UN leadership roles and senior posts to be geographically inclusive and transparent .
Sustainable Development & Climate Finance – Adopted a comprehensive Framework Declaration on Climate Finance. Launched a BRICS Carbon Markets Partnership and urged sustained support for COP30.
Peace, Security & Counter‑Terrorism – Voices unity in condemning terrorism, specifically referencing the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in India. Called for a global, no‑double‑standards convention on terrorism (Press Information Bureau). Acknowledged crises in West Asia, Gaza, and Ukraine, endorsing a ceasefire in Gaza and a two‑state solution. Supported “African solutions to African problems” regarding peace and security.
Economic & Financial Evolution – Advanced discussions on a cross‑border payments initiative aimed at reducing USD dependency. Bolstered the New Development Bank (NDB) and pilot BRICS Multilateral Guarantees (BMG) to de‑risk investments.
Technology & Digital Economy – Formally endorsed a Leaders’ Statement on Global AI Governance, advocating responsible AI development. Agreed to form a BRICS Space Council and signed a statement on data economy governance.
Health & Social Resilience – Launched a partnership to eliminate socially determined diseases, starting with tuberculosis.

India’s Role: Voice of the Global South

Modi’s High-Profile Engagements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a visible and vocal presence. This marked his first visit to Brazil in nearly 60 years, during which he paid respects to Gandhi and Tagore in Argentina, received the Key to Buenos Aires, and delighted the Indian diaspora in Rio.

Thought Leadership at Summit Panels

Modi addressed two major summit sessions on Global Governance & Peace, and Multilateralism, Finance & AI. His key interventions:

Called for UN Security Council reform and inclusion of Global South voices.
Declared that international response to terrorism must be “zero tolerance” and flag double standards.
Advocated demand-driven, sustainable financing via NDB, secure critical‑mineral supply chains, a Science & Research Repository for digitization, and responsible AI innovation.

His advocacy helped shape key declaration elements and ensured India’s priorities were woven into the final pact On the sidelines, Modi met with leaders from Malaysia, Cuba, Vietnam, and South Africa, reinforcing India’s Act‑East policy, enhancing trade links, tech cooperation, and health- and energy-sector collaboration.

Why the Summit Matters — and What Lies Ahead

Brazil’s focus on global health, AI, renewable energy, and infectious diseases reflected a pragmatic agenda amid complex geopolitics .
Despite the global tensions and member fragmentation, the summit achieved a 31‑page declaration, signifying continuity and potential in multilateral diplomacy.
For India, the summit delivered strategic gains: a stronger voice in global governance reform, new commercial ties, and momentum heading into the 2026 summit, which India will host .

Looking Forward to 2026

India assumes BRICS Chairship in 2026, gearing up to host the 18th summit.
With its dual focus on reforming global institutions and leading sustainable development, India’s upcoming presidency could pivot BRICS from rhetoric to delivery.

In Summary

The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio, through its Rio Declaration, sent a powerful signal: despite rising pains from rapid expansion and global fault lines, BRICS is determined to strengthen its global role—on governance reform, climate action, financial architecture, digital innovation, and health. India, led by Prime Minister Modi, emerged as a proactive and influential force, shaping both content and cooperation. With India set to take the chair in 2026, the bloc faces a critical test: can it transform vision into tangible action without fracturing its unity?

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