PM Modi Calls IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance To Focus On Cybersecurity & Women-led Tech Solutions

New Delhi, Nov 24 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting held in Johannesburg, alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The Prime Minister noted that the meeting came alongside the first G20 Summit in Africa and after four back-to-back Global South presidencies, which strengthened initiatives on people-centric development, reforms and sustainable growth.

Prime Minister Modi said, “It is not just a group of three countries, it is the important platform of three major democratic powers, three large economies connecting the three continents. It is also a deep and soulful bond, which also has diversity, shared values, shared aspirations.”

Calling for urgent reform of global governance institutions, he stressed that bodies such as the UN Security Council ‘are far removed from 21st-century realities’ and urged IBSA nations to send a strong message that reform is now an imperative.

On counter-terrorism, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for close coordination among member countries and reiterated that double standards must have no place in global efforts to tackle terrorism.

Emphasizing technology’s role in inclusive growth, he proposed the creation of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance to promote cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure such as UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech solutions.

Prime Minister Modi also noted IBSA’s potential contribution to shaping safe, trustworthy and human-centric global AI norms. He invited the leaders of Brazil and South Africa to the AI Impact Summit scheduled to be hosted by India next year.

Identifying collaboration opportunities, he said IBSA nations can complement each other’s development efforts in areas including millets, natural farming, disaster resilience, green energy, traditional medicines and health security.

Appreciating the IBSA Fund’s initiatives in over forty countries across sectors such as education, health, women’s empowerment and solar energy, the Prime Minister proposed the establishment of an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to strengthen South-South cooperation.

(KNN Bureau)