IBSA Summit: Modi Tackles Terrorism, Pushes Tech Cooperation

At the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the imperative of a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, stating that “there is no place for double standards.” He proposed a formalized mechanism for IBSA National Security Advisors (NSAs) to meet regularly, enhancing security collaboration between India, Brazil, and South Africa. Modi also addressed the inadequacy of current global institutions, referencing the UN Security Council’s structure and advocating strongly for necessary institutional reforms to better represent the modern world. He further advocated for leveraging technology for societal advancement, suggesting that IBSA can pioneer in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Artificial Intelligence. The establishment of an ‘IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance’ was proposed, facilitating the exchange of digital tools like UPI and CoWIN, alongside cybersecurity expertise, to foster digital economic growth and create beneficial solutions for the Global South. Modi expressed a commitment to developing ethical guidelines for AI, with potential collaboration at India’s AI summit. He characterized IBSA as a vital confluence of three continents, democratic powers, and economies, reflecting shared ideals and a collective vision for the future.