Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday discussed the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, during their meeting in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, with both sides stressing that global institutions need to reflect today’s realities.
The meeting came as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit and pushes a broader argument: countries of the Global South should have a greater say in decisions that affect the world.
For India, UN Security Council reform has been a long-standing demand. New Delhi has argued that the present structure does not adequately represent the world’s current political and economic realities.
The issue is not limited to India.
Countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America have repeatedly sought greater representation in global institutions, including the Security Council. BRICS has also backed reform of the UN system and a larger role for developing countries.
The Modi-Guterres meeting also covered the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and their effects on the global economy, including food and fertiliser supplies. They discussed sustainable development, renewable energy, human-centric artificial intelligence and freedom of navigation.
Guterres is in India for the BRICS Summit and is scheduled to address the leaders on Sunday.
The timing gives the conversation added weight.
The world is dealing with wars, trade tensions, climate pressures, food and energy concerns and rapid technological change. Yet many of the institutions created to manage global problems still operate through structures designed decades ago.
India’s argument is that the Global South should not remain only a participant in decisions made elsewhere.
It should have a seat at the table when those decisions are made.
