Prime Minister Modi addresses BRICS Summit on health, environment, and COP30, setting the agenda for the future
India has emerged as a powerful voice of the Global South. In every global forum available, India has time and again pleaded for a unified approach to saving the planet and its environment. This is both logical and doable, as the environment is a shared responsibility of all nations. If one nation pollutes its environment or is reckless in emitting greenhouse gases, it impacts the whole world. It is precisely this notion that Prime Minister Modi pushed forward in his address at the recent BRICS session on “Environment, COP-30 and Global Health.”
India will chair BRICS next year, and in this context, Prime Minister Modi’s address becomes even more significant. He not only outlined India’s firm commitment to sustainable development and public health, but also suggested the future course of action. Global South must chart a different course from the developed world, which possesses significantly more resources and high tech solutions — something they are often reluctant to share. Ironically, these same nations are the worst polluters. This imbalance is a key factor in worsening climate events, widening health disparities, and growing demands from the Global South. Modi began by underlining a fundamental truth: for India, climate change is not just about energy or emissions, but about restoring the delicate balance between life and nature. He stressed that climate consciousness is not a choice but a moral responsibility — one that India is committed to fulfilling.
PM Modi’s words were not hollow, India has always walked the talk. India has exceeded its Paris Climate Agreement targets ahead of time, all while maintaining the fastest growth rate among major economies. In his address, the Prime Minister enumerated India’s unique approach to environmental action — combining global leadership with grassroots participation. He cited efforts such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance.
Each reflects India’s vision of development that is both pro-planet and pro-people. Campaigns like “Mission LiFE” (Lifestyle for Environment) and “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” bring sustainability into the everyday lives of citizens, making environmental responsibility not just a policy goal, but a personal practice. Modi also pressed for structural changes in the global climate dialogue, calling for easier access to finance and technology for developing countries.
Another major concern for the Global South is public health. The region still has a long way to go to achieve decent health and fitness standards. Modi invoked the principle of “One Earth, One Health,” which has shaped India’s response to the pandemic and its broader healthcare diplomacy. India was at the forefront during the COVID-19 crisis and extended medical and vaccine support to numerous nations, particularly in the Global South. Under India’s leadership next year, BRICS will prioritise the voices and needs of the Global South while embracing a people-centric and humanity-first approach. Interestingly, Modi proposed a new interpretation of the BRICS acronym: Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. And if this address is any indication, New Delhi is ready to lead — not just with ambition, but with empathy and action.
