Global South a victim of double standards: PM Modi

Comprehensive reforms of institutions of global governance are necessary because these bodies have failed to address the concerns and interests of the Global South, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Addressing a session focused on peace and security and reform of global governance, Modi said that besides their failure to give the Global South a place at the decision-making table, these institutions have no solutions to conflicts around the world, health and economic crises, and new challenges in cyber and space.

Modi was scathing in his criticism of the UN Security Council, World Trade Organization (WTO) and multilateral development banks, saying they hadn’t been revamped in 80 years. Besides being a “victim of double standards”, he said, the Global South has received “nothing more than token gestures” in climate finance, sustainable development and technology access.

“Whether it is about development, distribution of resources or security-related issues, the interests of the Global South have not been prioritised,” he said, speaking in Hindi.