Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – On Monday, July 7, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined leaders from BRICS nations, partner countries, and invited guests for the traditional family photo at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event, hosted at the Museum of Modern Art, marked a moment of unity among the participating nations.
The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded to welcome new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. The summit, held from July 6 to July 9, focused on key global issues such as peace, security, climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Brazil on Sunday, was warmly welcomed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The family photo, a highlight of the summit, symbolized the shared commitment of BRICS nations to work together for a more inclusive and equitable global future.
During the summit, Modi emphasized the need for global unity in addressing challenges like terrorism, calling for strong action against those who support or fund it. He also highlighted India’s upcoming BRICS chairmanship in 2025, promising to redefine the group’s role as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.” Modi stressed the importance of supporting the Global South and reforming global institutions to better reflect 21st-century realities.
The leaders adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to tackling global challenges, including climate change, and condemning acts of terrorism, such as the Pahalgam attack in India in April 2025.
Modi also held meetings with leaders from Malaysia, Cuba, Vietnam, and South Africa on the sidelines of the summit, strengthening bilateral ties and discussing shared priorities like counter-terrorism, trade, and innovation.
The 17th BRICS Summit underscored the group’s growing influence as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies, with a focus on creating a multipolar world order that prioritizes fairness and collaboration.
