Introduction
On 23 November 2025, while attending the IBSA Dialogue Forum (India-Brazil-South Africa) Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg, Narendra Modi made a strong case for reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He declared that such reform is “no longer an option, but a necessity.” His remarks underline India’s renewed push for global-governance reform and emphasise the role of South-South cooperation in shaping 21st-century institutions.
The IBSA context and global governance
The IBSA Dialogue Forum brings together three major democracies representing three continents: India, Brazil and South Africa. As the PM noted, IBSA is “not just a group of three countries, but an important platform connecting three continents, three major democratic nations, and three major economies.”
In his address, Modi stressed that global-governance institutions—designed for the 20th century—are now misaligned with 21st-century realities. He urged that institutions such as the UNSC must evolve in order to retain legitimacy and effectiveness.
UNSC reform: Why it’s urgent
India and its IBSA partners argue that the UNSC’s current composition and decision-making structure no longer reflect contemporary geopolitics or global challenges.
Modi’s use of language—“no longer an option, but a necessity”—signals urgency. The notion is that incremental change is insufficient; reform must now be substantive. His remarks emphasise:
The need for expanded representation (both permanent and non-permanent seats) to reflect new powers and regions.
The requirement for greater legitimacy and accountability of global-governance institutions.
The imperative of relevance: institutions must be equipped to handle cross-border challenges, from terrorism to climate change to digital infrastructure.
Key take-aways from Modi’s remarks
Modi called for a strong unified message from IBSA countries to support institutional reform of global governance, particularly the UNSC
He drew attention to terrorism, emphasising “there should be no room for double-standards while fighting terrorism.
He also proposed new initiatives: an “IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance” to share digital-public-infrastructure knowledge (such as the Indian UPI system, health-platform experience) among IBSA countries.
Modi noted the multi-continental reach of IBSA and its potential to serve as an example of South-South cooperation that can address global challenges.
Implications for India and the world
For India
India’s push at IBSA and in broader multilateral forums demonstrates its aspiration to play a larger role in global governance. By seeking reform of the UNSC, India reiterates its long-standing demand for a permanent seat.
At the same time, India is leveraging its digital-public-infrastructure strength and partnership potential with Brazil and South Africa to expand strategic outreach across continents.
For the global system
If the UNSC remains unreformed, critics argue the body risks further irrelevance, lacking legitimacy and agility to handle emerging threats. Modi’s statement underscores the notion that reform is not optional but essential to avoid institutional stagnation.
Additionally, the alliance of IBSA underscores that emerging economies are co-alescing around shared visions of multilateralism and global governance. That may shift normative power dynamics, especially in areas such as digital infrastructure, climate‐resilient agriculture and AI governance (also referenced by Modi).
Challenges ahead
Reforming the UNSC is politically and procedurally difficult: issues of veto power, regional representation, and competing priorities remain.
Aligning the interests of IBSA members (and other global South countries) with those of established powers will require careful diplomacy.
Reform must be more than symbolic; it must lead to institutional changes which translate into action, not just rhetoric.
Incorporating Vizzve Finance perspective
From a finance and economic-governance vantage point (in keeping with the scope of Vizzve Finance), the call for reforms has direct implications:
Global economic stability: A reformed and more representative UNSC could foster stronger coordination on international financial crises, debt relief frameworks and sustainable investment flows.
South-South financial cooperation: India, Brazil and South Africa can act as hubs for financing digital-public-infrastructure, green projects and climate-resilient agriculture in global South nations—thus offering new markets and investment corridors.
Institutional reforms and finance flows: With governance structures more aligned to current realities, global funding mechanisms (such as IMF, World Bank ties) may become more inclusive, improving access for emerging economies and strengthening global risk-sharing mechanisms.
Digital-infrastructure and fintech growth: Modi’s emphasis on sharing digital infrastructures among IBSA nations hints at growth opportunities in fintech, cross-border payments, cybersecurity and regulatory innovation—areas of interest to financial-tech investors and Vizzve Finance’s audience.
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FAQ Section
Q1: What is IBSA?
The IBSA Dialogue Forum comprises India, Brazil and South Africa. It is a trilateral group representing three democracies from three continents, working together on global-south cooperation, sustainable development and multilateral reform.
Q2: Why is reform of the UNSC being called a necessity?
According to Prime Minister Modi, global-governance institutions like the UNSC are “far removed from 21st century realities” and must evolve to stay relevant and effective. The idea is that without reform, the institution will struggle to respond to emergent global issues such as terrorism, climate change, digital infrastructure and shifting power centres.
Q3: What specific reforms are being sought?
Though no formal blueprint was presented at the meeting, commonly advocated reforms include expanding UNSC membership (both permanent and non-permanent seats), enhancing transparency and accountability, reducing veto-power inequalities, and making the body more reflective of current geopolitical realities.
Q4: How does this affect financial governance and investment?
A more representative global-governance architecture could facilitate smoother coordination on financial crises, aid flows, digital-payment infrastructure and climate-finance. For investors and financial-tech firms, deeper cooperation among IBSA countries offers new growth corridors in emerging markets and digital infrastructures.
Q5: What role will IBSA play going forward?
Modi proposed institutionalising IBSA cooperation (including holding NSA-level meetings), forming a Digital Innovation Alliance among the three nations, and leveraging their collective strength to influence global governance, digital infrastructure sharing and sustainable development partnerships.
Published on : 23rd November
Published by : Selvi
Credit::PTI
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