Your Excellency President Ramaphosa,
Your Excellency President Lula,
Friends,
Namaskar!
It is a great pleasure for me to participate in the IBSA Leaders Meeting in the vibrant and beautiful city of Johannesburg. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Lula, the Chair of IBSA, for this initiative, and to President Ramaphosa for his warm hospitality.
IBSA is not just a forum of three countries; it is a vital platform that connects three continents, three major democratic powers, and three significant economies. It is also a deep and enduring partnership, rooted in our diversity, shared values, and shared aspirations.
Friends,
Today's IBSA Leaders’ Meeting is both historic and timely. This first G20 Summit on the African continent marks the culmination of four consecutive G20 presidencies led by Global South countries. Over the past three years, the three IBSA nations have headed the G20. Across these three summits, we have advanced several important initiatives on shared priorities, including human-centric development, multilateral reform, and sustainable growth. It is now our collective responsibility to strengthen these initiatives and enhance their impact. In this spirit, I would like to offer a few suggestions on our cooperation.
Friends,
First, we all agree that global institutions do not reflect the realities of the 21st century. None of us is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This clearly demonstrates that global institutions no longer represent today's world. Therefore, IBSA must send a unified message to the world: institutional reform is not an option but a prerogative.
Similarly, we must work in close coordination in the fight against terrorism. On an issue of such gravity, there can be no room for double standards. For the sake of global peace and prosperity, united and decisive action is essential.
The first meeting of the NSAs of the three countries was held under India's IBSA chairmanship in 2021. We can institutionalize this to strengthen security cooperation.
Friends,
Technology plays a vital role in advancing human-centric development. IBSA can assume a leading role in emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of Digital Public Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence. In this regard, we could consider establishing an "IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance,” through which Digital Public Infrastructure such as UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks, and women-led technology initiatives can be shared across our three countries. This will accelerate the growth of our digital economies and create scalable solutions for the Global South. Together, we can contribute to the creation of safe, reliable, and human-centric AI norms. This could be launched at the AI Impact Summit in India next year.
Friends,
For sustainable growth, IBSA can not only complement one another’s development efforts but also serve as an example for the world. Whether in the promotion of millets and natural farming, disaster resilience and green energy, or traditional medicine and health security, by combining our strengths across these areas, we can contribute meaningfully to global welfare.
It was with this vision that the IBSA Fund was created. With its support, we have implemented nearly fifty projects across forty countries. These initiatives ranging from education and health to women’s empowerment and solar energy have been shaped by the needs of local communities. To further reinforce this spirit of cooperation, we could consider establishing an IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture.
Friends,
Today’s world appears fragmented and divided on many fronts. In such a time, IBSA can offer a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity. This is both our responsibility and our strength as three democratic nations.
Thank you very much.
