New Delhi: In a powerful display of Global South solidarity on the final day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed the relevance of the India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum as a beacon of principled multilateralism in an increasingly fractured world order.
Speaking at the IBSA Leaders’ Dialogue held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, President Ramaphosa, whose country currently chairs the 22-year-old trilateral platform, described IBSA as “a catalyst for global transformation” and “a testament to the durability of principled and constructive cooperation.” He stressed that the grouping “affirms that diversity is not a fault line but a source of strength” and represents “the hopes of a Global South that seeks dignity, respect and partnership in shaping the future.”
Historic Convergence of Four Consecutive Global South G20 Presidencies
Prime Minister Modi underlined the historic nature of the moment, pointing out that the past four G20 presidencies (Indonesia 2022, India 2023, Brazil 2024, and South Africa 2025) were held by Global South nations. “IBSA is not just a group of three countries; it connects three continents, three major democracies and three major economies,” he said, adding that the Johannesburg meeting was “historic and timely.”
India’s Five-Point Agenda at IBSA 2025
Prime Minister Modi presented a forward-looking roadmap built on five concrete proposals:
- Institutionalisation of National Security Advisers-level dialogue among the three countries to deepen counter-terrorism and strategic coordination.
- Launch of the IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance for sharing sovereign Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) successes such as India’s UPI, CoWIN-like health platforms, national cybersecurity frameworks, and women-led technology initiatives. Modi suggested the alliance could be formally launched at India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in 2026.
- Creation of an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to help vulnerable farming communities adapt to climate change.
- Urgent and comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, noting that none of the three IBSA nations currently hold permanent seats despite being major democracies and economies.
- Unified global action against terrorism with “no place for double standards,” calling for close trilateral coordination on the issue.
Zero Tolerance for Double Standards on Terrorism
The Indian Prime Minister was unequivocal on terrorism: “There is no place for any double standards on such a serious issue. For global peace and prosperity, we must take united action.” The statement comes against the backdrop of growing frustration among Global South nations over selective condemnation of terrorist acts and the continued veto paralysis at the UNSC.
IBSA’s Proven Track Record: The IBSA Fund and South-South Cooperation
Established in 2004 and managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the IBSA Fund has already supported nearly 50 projects in over 40 countries, focusing on education, health, women’s empowerment, agriculture and renewable energy. President Ramaphosa highlighted the Fund’s “practical value” while the leaders signed a new trilateral agreement on foundational learning in education as an immediate follow-up to the earlier pact signed by the three Education Ministers.
From Brasilia Declaration to Johannesburg Vision
The IBSA Dialogue Forum was born on 6 June 2003 through the Brasilia Declaration, uniting three vibrant democracies from Asia, South America and Africa with the explicit goal of reshaping global governance architecture. Cooperation takes place on three pillars:
- Political consultation on regional and global issues
- Sectoral collaboration through 16 working groups and People-to-People forums
- Assistance to other developing nations via the IBSA Fund
Key ongoing initiatives include IBSAMAR, the joint naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy and South African Navy.
Call for a New Paradigm of Inclusive Growth
President Ramaphosa warned that the “structural fault” in the global economy – the widening rich-poor gap and deepening poverty – can only be addressed through “a new paradigm of inclusive economic growth.” He urged the three nations to champion reform of global governance institutions, reinvigorate climate commitments, deepen cooperation on just energy transitions, safeguard food and health security, and ensure equitable distribution of technological benefits.
AI Governance: IBSA as Standard-Setter for Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence
India specifically highlighted IBSA’s potential role in shaping “safe, trustworthy, and human-centric” global AI norms, a priority that aligns with New Delhi’s leadership in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and its forthcoming presidency of the GPAI in 2026.
Bilateral India–South Africa Engagements on the Sidelines
In a separate bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa reviewed fast-expanding ties and agreed to boost cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, critical minerals, infrastructure, mining, technology and start-ups. Modi thanked South Africa for the successful cheetah reintroduction project and formally invited Pretoria to join India’s International Big Cat Alliance. President Ramaphosa assured full support for India’s upcoming BRICS Chairship in 2026.
Navigating the Trump Disruptions
The Johannesburg IBSA meeting acquired additional strategic weight against the backdrop of the United States’ partial disengagement from the G20 process under President Donald Trump. The final G20 declaration was adopted unanimously by all members except the United States, which opted out of participation. Analysts noted that South Africa’s refusal to symbolically hand over the G20 gavel to junior U.S. officials at the closing ceremony sent a strong message of independence.
Looking Ahead: Standalone IBSA Summit on the Horizon
President Ramaphosa expressed hope that the three countries would soon convene a full-fledged standalone IBSA Leaders’ Summit on a mutually convenient date, elevating the grouping beyond a side-event platform.
Why IBSA Matters in 2025
At a time when traditional multilateral institutions appear frozen in 1945 frameworks and great-power rivalry is intensifying, the India–Brazil–South Africa platform offers a compelling model of democratic, non-hegemonic cooperation. With a combined population of over 1.7 billion people, a collective GDP exceeding $5 trillion, and growing technological and military capabilities, IBSA is uniquely positioned to amplify the voice of the Global South on everything from UN reform and climate finance to digital inclusion and counter-terrorism.
As President Ramaphosa concluded, “Our cooperation is grounded in the daily realities of our people,” and the Johannesburg declarations on digital alliance, climate-resilient agriculture fund, NSA-level security dialogue and unified anti-terror stance demonstrate that IBSA remains far more than a talk shop – it is rapidly evolving into an action-oriented platform for 21st-century global governance.
The trilateral meeting in Johannesburg has set the stage for an ambitious 2026 under India’s leadership of both the GPAI and BRICS, with the proposed IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance and Climate Resilient Agriculture Fund likely to become flagship initiatives of renewed South-South cooperation.
FAQs
1. What is IBSA and which countries are its members?
IBSA (India–Brazil–South Africa Dialogue Forum) is a trilateral coordination mechanism between three major democracies of the Global South: India, Brazil, and South Africa. It was established on 6 June 2003 through the Brasilia Declaration.
2. What new initiatives did India propose at the IBSA meeting on 24 November 2025?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed five key initiatives:
- Institutionalising National Security Advisers-level dialogueIBSA Digital Innovation Alliance for sharing DPI (UPI, CoWIN-type platforms, cybersecurity, women-led tech)IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient AgricultureUnified global action against terrorism with no double standards
Urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council
3. Who currently holds the chairmanship of IBSA?
South Africa assumed the rotating chair of IBSA in 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the IBSA Leaders’ Dialogue on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
4. What is the IBSA Fund and how successful has it been?
Launched in 2004 and managed by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the IBSA Fund supports development projects in Least Developed Countries. As of 2025, it has successfully completed around 50 projects in over 40 countries in areas like education, health, women empowerment, agriculture, and solar energy.
5. Why was the 2025 IBSA meeting described as “historic”?
The meeting marked the culmination of four consecutive G20 presidencies held by Global South nations (Indonesia → India → Brazil → South Africa). It was the first time three IBSA countries together shaped the G20 agenda over multiple years, giving the grouping unprecedented influence in global governance discussions.
