The United Nations has backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for urgent reform of the UN Security Council, with a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying the Council’s existing structure no longer reflects the realities of the 21st century.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric was responding to PM Modi’s remarks at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister said reform of the Security Council “can no longer be delayed”.

Dujarric said there is a fundamental need to reform the Security Council as well as other international institutions.

He pointed to the Council’s current composition of five permanent members and said it does not adequately represent the world as it exists today. He argued that international institutions need to adapt to the realities of 2026 rather than continue reflecting the circumstances of 1945.

Modi calls for time-bound UNSC reform

Addressing the BRICS session on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism, PM Modi criticised the concentration of power and decision-making in the existing global governance system.

He said countries of the Global South are often at the forefront of global crises but have limited influence over decisions that affect them.

Modi proposed that BRICS countries prepare 10 proposals for global governance reforms, which could subsequently form a BRICS Reform Roadmap at the next summit.

The roadmap, he said, should focus on three broad areas — representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

On representation, Modi specifically called for reform of the UN Security Council, saying the process should be linked to a fixed timeframe and clear outcomes.

BRICS backs greater representation

The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit also reaffirmed the grouping’s support for reform of global governance institutions.

BRICS called for a more representative and equitable international system and stressed the need for greater participation of developing countries in global decision-making.

On Security Council reform, the grouping backed comprehensive changes aimed at making the body more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, with greater representation for developing countries.

The declaration also said Security Council reform should strengthen the voice of the Global South.

China and Russia, the two permanent members of the Security Council within BRICS, reiterated their support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

UN highlights India’s role

Dujarric also said India has an important role to play in addressing conflicts and helping parties communicate.

He said Guterres and PM Modi discussed conflicts including those in the Middle East and Ukraine during their meeting.

According to Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General believes India can act as a bridge builder and contribute to efforts aimed at helping conflicting sides communicate and reach peaceful settlements.

Dujarric also congratulated Modi on India’s BRICS presidency and said the adoption of a joint declaration was a credit to India’s leadership of the grouping.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. The summit is being held under India’s chairship with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said India and China can learn from each other’s strengths and support one another as he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 during Xi’s two-day visit to India. It was his first visit to the country in seven years. The discussions covered bilateral relations, border issues, trade and investment.

PM Modi stresses importance of border peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for the continued development of India-China relations.

He also underlined the need for both countries to follow existing agreements and understandings related to border issues. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question while keeping the long-term interests of both countries in mind.

The two sides also noted steady progress in bilateral relations since Modi and Xi last met in Tianjin in August 2025.

Modi stressed that differences between India and China should not turn into disputes. He said the relationship should be guided by three principles — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

Xi calls for long-term India-China ties

During the meeting, Xi Jinping said China has consistently viewed its relationship with India from a strategic and long-term perspective.

He recalled that he and Modi have met 21 times over the years and said these meetings had helped guide India-China relations towards steady development.

Xi said that despite differences in their national conditions, India and China could learn from each other’s strengths, support one another and pursue common development.

He also highlighted the responsibilities of India and China as two of the world’s most populous countries and important members of the Global South.

Both sides review bilateral relations

The two leaders carried out a comprehensive review of India-China relations and discussed measures to expand engagement.

The talks also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and continuing cooperation based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

After the meeting, Modi said the two sides had reviewed the full range of India-China relations. He also conveyed India’s best wishes to China ahead of its BRICS presidency next year.

China has said it is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with India and appropriately manage differences between the two countries ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi were arranging a bilateral meeting between Xi and Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:45 pm on Saturday, according to the report. Xi’s visit marks his return to India after nearly seven years.

China stresses cooperation with India

In a post on X on Friday, Xu said China would work with India in line with the strategic guidance provided by the two leaders.

He said Beijing wanted to approach India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective while increasing communication and cooperation.

China said it would properly handle differences and work towards good-neighbourly relations while helping each other succeed. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning echoed the position during a media briefing, saying Beijing would work with New Delhi to strengthen communication, expand cooperation and manage differences.

Modi-Xi meeting comes ahead of BRICS Summit

Xi Jinping has travelled to New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting on September 12 and 13.

The Chinese President’s visit comes after a period of strain in India-China relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Relations have since seen efforts towards stabilisation, including meetings between Modi and Xi in Kazan and Tianjin.

The upcoming meeting in New Delhi will be the third consecutive year in which the two leaders have met, according to the Chinese side.

Xi left Beijing on Saturday for India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. His delegation includes senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi and Wang Yi.

The Modi-Xi bilateral is expected to provide another opportunity for the two sides to maintain high-level engagement while addressing differences in their relationship.