Antonio Guterres, Modi Discuss BRICS Priorities, Global Conflicts and AI Weapons

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Sept. 11: With wars continuing in the Middle East and Ukraine, global food supplies under pressure and major questions hanging over the future of international cooperation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The meeting brought together several of the most pressing issues facing the world, from reform of global institutions and freedom of navigation to food security, sustainable development, renewable energy and the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence.

Guterres, who is in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, congratulated Modi on India's chairship of the grouping for the fourth time. The two leaders also discussed the priorities of India's BRICS Presidency and India's efforts to shape the agenda of the influential bloc at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for India's close cooperation with the United Nations.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities.

The issue has long been a major priority for India, which has argued that international institutions must change to reflect the political and economic realities of the 21st century and give developing countries and emerging economies a stronger voice.

The discussion on reform came as BRICS itself seeks a larger role in international affairs and as calls grow for a more representative global decision-making system.

Guterres and Modi also held wide-ranging discussions on the continuing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and their impact far beyond the regions directly affected by the fighting.

According to the UN briefing, the two leaders discussed the effect of the conflicts on the global economy, including access to food and fertilizer.

The impact of war on food and agricultural supplies has become a serious concern for many developing countries, where rising prices and disruptions in essential commodities can quickly add to economic hardship.

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation, an issue that has taken on greater importance amid tensions affecting major maritime routes.

Open and secure sea lanes are critical for international commerce and energy supplies. The issue is particularly important for India, one of the world's major trading nations and a country that relies heavily on maritime routes.

The Indian government said Modi and Guterres also discussed sustainable development, global food security and progress in renewable energy.

The inclusion of renewable energy in the talks reflected the growing importance of the transition toward cleaner sources of power as countries try to balance economic growth, energy security and climate commitments.

Another important subject was human-centric artificial intelligence. India has been pushing for the responsible and inclusive development of AI, with an emphasis on ensuring that technological advances serve people and are accessible beyond a small group of technologically advanced nations.

The two leaders also discussed the wider implications of rapidly advancing technologies at a time when governments around the world are struggling to establish common rules for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Earlier, the UN said the Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also exchanged views on the growing danger posed by lethal autonomous weapons, underlining increasing international concern over the use of advanced technology in warfare.

The development of weapons systems with increasing levels of autonomy has raised difficult questions about human control over decisions involving the use of deadly force. Guterres has repeatedly called for stronger international action to address the dangers associated with such weapons.

The meeting between Modi and Guterres came as India uses its BRICS Presidency to push discussions on issues affecting both emerging economies and the wider developing world.

For New Delhi, the talks also offered an opportunity to underline India's role in debates on global security, development, technology and institutional reform.

The Secretary-General is scheduled to deliver remarks at the BRICS Summit on Sunday.

As the world confronts simultaneous conflicts, economic uncertainty, food security concerns and rapid technological change, the meeting in New Delhi reflected the broad range of issues now competing for the attention of world leaders.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Prime Minister Modi wished Guterres the very best for the remainder of his tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations.