Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities in the current and ever-changing world during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the national capital.
The two leaders also discussed a range of issues, including ongoing conflicts in the world and freedom of navigation, sustainable development, human-centric artificial intelligence, progress in renewable energy and global food security. Prime Minister Modi also wished Guterres the very best for the remainder of his tenure. The discussions on reform of multilateral institutions come as India continues to push for a greater role in global decision-making bodies.
Guterres congratulated Prime Minister Modi for India’s chairship of BRICS for the fourth time, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. “Both leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities,” the MEA said. “They also held discussions on various issues, including ongoing conflicts and freedom of navigation, sustainable development, human-centric AI, progress in renewable energy, and global food security,” the statement added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while launching India’s candidature at the UN headquarters, outlined India’s priorities, peacekeeping record and commitment to multilateralism. We do so at a time when the world is facing a profound paradox… BRICS has emerged as an important platform for coordination among major emerging economies and for advancing the interests of the Global South in multilateral institutions. Its agenda covers development, finance, technology, trade and people-to-people exchanges. India’s BRICS Chairship comes amid global economic fragmentation, technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and resource pressures. Guterres met Mr. The two leaders also exchanged views on the growing danger of lethal autonomous weapons.
In July, India officially launched its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term. “It’s a pleasure to join you this afternoon to launch India’s candidature to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2028-29. The Modi-Guterres meeting took place as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship. The grouping currently comprises 11 countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. The expanded grouping provides a platform for cooperation on development, climate action, technology, energy and financial resilience, while also contributing to discussions on reforms in global institutions. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Earlier reporting noted: UN chief Guterres meets PM Modi; discusses West Asia, Ukraine conflicts UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday (September 11, 2026) held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on current conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, with the world body chief reaffirming the principle of freedom of navigation. Modi in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit that Delhi is hosting on September 12-13.
At the same time, we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away,” Jaishankar said. He said member states would naturally assess both India’s vision for addressing global challenges and its track record of contributing to international peace and security. India’s Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with development, sustainability and innovation forming key areas of focus. The two leaders “had a wide-ranging discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the impact both are having on the global economy, including regarding access to food and fertiliser,” the office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement. Earlier reporting noted: It said the secretary-general “reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation. They also discussed the priorities of India’s presidency of the BRICS, including the need for multilateral institutions that clearly reflect the realities of the world in the 21st century, the statement said.
Earlier reporting noted: Mr.
