Xi calls on BRICS to unite Global South, deepen cooperation

What the report says

Chinese President Xi Jinping used the second day of the BRICS summit in New Delhi to urge member countries to strengthen unity across the Global South and play a more active role in global affairs, according to The Independent Uganda’s publication of a Xinhua report. Xi said the grouping should help promote stability at a time of international uncertainty and should defend multilateralism, international law and reforms that give developing countries more influence in global institutions.

The report says Xi framed the Global South as an increasingly important force in world politics and called on BRICS to support cooperation on sustainable development, security, climate governance and the reform of trade and financial systems. He also encouraged a consensus-based approach to global artificial intelligence rules, reflecting wider debates about how new technologies should be governed.

Xi also outlined five proposed areas for what he called “greater BRICS” cooperation: artificial intelligence, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, intelligent manufacturing, and science and technology talent development. Among the ideas listed were open-source AI collaboration, a BRICS special economic zone partnership, digital skills training, smart factory development and new engineering and youth innovation exchange programs.

The article included comments from several analysts in Nigeria, Kazakhstan and elsewhere who said expanded BRICS ties could deepen coordination among developing countries. Broadly, the piece suggests China is using the summit to present BRICS as a vehicle for South-South cooperation and a more multipolar international order.