NATIONAL: PM Modi Pitches a Bold New Digital Alliance at the G-20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined leaders from Brazil and South Africa in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025, to breathe new life into the IBSA forum.
Hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the G20 Summit’s sidelines, the meeting with Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva focused on fresh ways to amplify the Global South’s voice.
Modi’s proposals aim to blend technology with real-world needs, signaling a shift toward practical partnerships.
Reviving IBSA Ties
The gathering highlighted IBSA’s role as a bridge across continents, democracies, and economies.
Leaders discussed how the group can drive unity amid global divides.
Modi praised recent G20 presidencies by IBSA nations, calling this summit a fitting close to four years of Global South leadership.
Digital Innovation Push
Modi floated the idea of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance to swap best practices in tech.
Key areas include India’s UPI for payments, CoWIN for health tracking, and shared cybersecurity tools.
The alliance would also spotlight women-led tech efforts, fostering inclusive growth across borders.
Fund Talks and Climate Action
Discussions touched on the existing IBSA Fund, which has backed projects in 40 countries.
Focus sectors span education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and solar energy initiatives.
Modi suggested expanding it with a new arm for climate-resilient agriculture to tackle food security head-on.
Security and Global Reforms
Leaders agreed on tighter counter-terrorism coordination, rejecting any double standards.
Modi pushed for regular National Security Advisers meetings to build trust.
He stressed reforming outdated global bodies like the UN Security Council, now an urgent must rather than a choice.
This Johannesburg huddle sets IBSA on a bolder path, blending innovation with solidarity.
As these democracies collaborate, they could reshape how the world handles tech, security, and sustainability for years to come.