Modi pushes BRICS reform to turn rule takers into rule shapers

A hand shakes the moment a backdrop projection of the Ramanathaswamy temple looms as Modi greets world leaders at BRICS in New Delhi²⁵. The opening scene underscores a broader aim: to shift the Global South from rule takers to rule shapers by laying out a reform roadmap and championing a BRICS platform for broader partnership^15,17.

Modi presents BRICS as a bloc maturing into tangible action, insisting that every member has a voice and that real-world implementation must accompany consensus rather than merely signaling agreement¹⁷. The New Delhi Declaration, hammered out after marathon talks, reaffirms equal participation in shaping future technology rules and calls for reforms within the WTO, IMF, and World Bank, noting that Iran and the UAE—though still aligned with some reservations—are converging toward common ground after long stand-offs^7,9,19,21,22.

While the outcome is not flawless, India regards it as a diplomatic win for shepherding a delicate consensus among members who remain divided over Middle East sensitivities, with an aim to translate high‑level dialogue into concrete steps such as the removal of trade barriers, the creation of new business links, and expanded commercial collaborations^11,20,21,29.

The road ahead depends on a concrete plan: a revived multilateral framework and a concrete timeline for BRICS reform that can guide the next summit, anchored in the principle that the interests of the Global South must drive decisions and shape practical modalities for cooperation rather than merely shape rhetoric^5,7,12.