IBSA Leaders' Meeting Highlights

Introduction

Prime Minister participated in the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Leaders' meeting alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Reforms in Global Governance

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the necessity of reforming the United Nations Security Council to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. He argued that this is vital for improving global governance.

• The IBSA troika should advocate strongly for these changes.
• IBSA can convey a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity in a fragmented world.

Security and Terrorism

Modi proposed institutionalizing the IBSA NSA-level meeting to enhance security cooperation among the three nations.

• Emphasis was placed on coordinated action against terrorism, rejecting any double standards.

Technology and Development

Highlighting technology's role in human-centric development, Prime Minister Modi proposed establishing an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance.

• This would involve sharing digital infrastructure such as the UPI, CoWIN, and cybersecurity frameworks.
• Women-led tech initiatives were also emphasized.

IBSA Fund and Climate Initiatives

Appreciation was extended for the IBSA Fund's projects in 40 countries, focusing on areas like education and health. Modi proposed an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to enhance South-South cooperation.

Significance of the Meeting

The IBSA meeting coincided with the first G20 Summit held on African soil, marking the end of four G20 presidencies by Global South nations, including the IBSA members. The Prime Minister highlighted the group's role beyond being just a trio of countries.

• IBSA serves as a platform connecting three continents, democratic nations, and major economies.
• It focuses on sustainable growth, multilateral reform, and human-centric development.

Future Prospects and Cooperation

Modi invited IBSA leaders to the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India, underlining the group's potential to contribute to building safe and trustworthy AI norms.

• Opportunities for cooperation include areas like millets, traditional medicine, and green energy.

Conclusion

Prime Minister reiterated the importance of IBSA in strengthening the voice of the Global South, noting that the group is uniquely positioned to further a human-centric agenda.

• IBSA members have each held the G20 Presidency in recent years, leveraging the opportunity to promote shared values and aspirations.