www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | @TheStatesmanLtd Pages 12 | Editorial @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | KOLKATA People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 13 September 2026 S P O RT S World Death beyond music Saudis shuts key pipeline as Houthis seize strategic island India eye eighth Asia Cup title against defending champs Sri Lanka Page 6 Page 9 Page 12 ‘UNSC reform cannot wait’: PM calls for BRICS roadmap STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CALLING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRICS A ‘HISTORIC MILESTONE’, MR MODI SAID THE GROUPING WAS NOW ENTERING A NEW PHASE OF MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. ‘TODAY, BRICS TOO IS AT ITS COMING OF AGE MOMENT,’ HE SAID. New Delhi, 12 September P rime Minister Narendra Modi, during the opening session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, made a strong case for restructuring the global governance system, declaring that reform of the United Nations Security Council “can no longer wait” and calling on BRICS countries to draw up a concrete roadmap for making multilateral institutions more representative, responsive and inclusive. Addressing the BRICS session on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism” at Bharat Mandapam, Mr Modi placed “Humanity First” at the centre of India’s BRICS presidency and argued that the grouping, as it marks its 20th anniversary, must move from consensus and declarations towards measurable outcomes and stronger implementation. Welcoming the participating leaders and delegates, Mr Modi said India’s BRICS chairmanship had been guided by a “people-centric” and “Humanity First” approach, with resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as its principal priorities. He said more than 350 meetings had been organised in nearly 30 Indian cities during the year, describing the extensive engagement as an effort to connect BRICS cooperation with ordinary people. Calling the 20th anniversary of BRICS a “historic milestone”, Mr Modi said the grouping was now entering a new phase of maturity and responsibility. “Today, BRICS too is at its ‘coming of age’ moment,” he said, stressing that over the past two decades the grouping had established a distinct identity on the global stage by respecting different perspectives and moving forward through consensus. He said the next challenge was to convert BRICS’ unity and convergence into “concrete results” on the global stage and called for an ambitious agenda for the next 20 years. PM Modi proposed a “BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism” to ensure that the annual change in chairmanship did not interrupt the grouping’s institutional momentum. Under the proposal, the BRICS Troika could follow up on initiatives and outcomes, while a secure digital repository could record every decision along with its nodal agency, deadline and implementation status. BRICS expresses concern over West Asia conflict, calls for zero tolerance on terror NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 12 September With some deft diplomacy, India on Saturday succeeded in convincing BRICS nations to issue a joint declaration on the opening day of the 18th BRICS Summit which, while avoiding naming any country, expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for exercising maximum restraint as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation. “Furthermore, we urge to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in their entirety and interconnectedness, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States,’’ said the 45-page “New Delhi Declaration”, which, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was adopted unanimously by the member nations. Strongly condemning the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the BRICS nations called for zero tolerance against terrorism and rejected double standards in countering the menace. “We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law,” the declaration said. It said the BRICS countries encourage increasing efforts, through dialogue and diplomacy, towards a long-term understanding that will contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region. “We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law,” it added without directly naming the United States or Iran, the two main parties in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The joint declaration sets at rest speculations over the past weeks on whether the BRICS nations would be able to evolve a common formulation on the conflict in West Asia since the BRICS foreign ministers, at their meeting in New Delhi in May, had failed to reach a consensus due to differences between Iran and the UAE, which are on the opposing side in the conflict. The BRICS bloc expressed concern about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world and the current state of polarisation and fragmentation in the international order. The grouping also welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its five Subgroups based upon the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan and the CTWG Position Paper. The BRICS bloc also called for concerted actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities. The joint BRICS nations’ declaration also emphasised the importance of countering extremism and radicalisation specially among the younger generations and stressed the need to enhance cooperation among the BRICS countries and their competent authorities, including through sharing of best practices. RBI rejects Tata Sons’ plea to remain private Modi stresses mutual respect, mutual sensitivity Pezeshkian asks BRICS to oppose and mutual interest in meeting with Xi Jinping aggression becoming normalised STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Reserve Bank of India has rejected the application of Tata Sons Ltd, the principal holding company of the Tata Group, to remain as an unregistered investment company, giving it little option but to go public and list its shares on the stock exchanges. Tata Sons had earlier approached the RBI seeking to surrender its certificate of registration as a non-banking finance company (NBFC) and be classified as an unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC). In a letter to Tata Sons Private Limited, the RBI said it was rejecting the company’s application. The rejection means Tata Sons will continue to be subject to the applicable regulatory framework and will have to comply with the requirements prescribed for it as an upper-layer non-banking financial company, including a requirement to list within the prescribed timeline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where they welcomed the steady improvement in India-China relations and reaffirmed that the two countries should build their relationship on a strategic long-term footing. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders welcomed the “steady progress” in bilateral relations since their previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025 and reiterated that differences between the two countries “should not become disputes”. Mr Modi stressed that the relationship should be guided by what he described as the “three mutuals” ~ mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest ~ while emphasising that peace and Mumbai, 12 September New Delhi, 12 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of China, Xi Jinping, during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. IANS tranquillity in the border areas remained an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral ties. The meeting comes against the backdrop of an emerging thaw in relations following the prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Mr Modi underlined the need for both sides to abide by existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution” of the boundary question, proceeding from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of the two peoples. Mr Modi and Mr Xi took note of progress in people-to-people ties and stressed the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries. On economic and trade relations, the two leaders underlined the need to address each other’s concerns, including structural trade imbalances and supply-chain issues, while facilitating “meaningful and predictable market access”. The leaders also agreed that India and China should continue expanding common ground on regional and global issues and work together in addressing emerging challenges. Their latest engagement comes at a time when both countries are seeking greater space for cooperation in a changing global order marked by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and debates over reform of multilateral institutions. • Related report: Page 5 ARTI BALI New Delhi, 12 September Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, denounced the USA and Israel over their attacks on Iran, as he urged the bloc to prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure from becoming normalised. Sustainable security could only be achieved through respect for national sovereignty and international law, Mr Pezeshkian said: “No country should use its territory to threaten or attack another. The BRICS summit must stand against the normalisation of attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, and peaceful nuclear facilities must be immune from attack and threats of attack,” he added. His remarks came as the US-led war on Iran entered its seventh month and threatens to spiral into a wider regional conflict. Mr Pezeshkian said attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were not merely a matter concerning individual countries but a threat to international peace and security. “The same principle applies to peaceful nuclear facilities; these facilities must remain immune from attack and threats of attack, because endangering them is not an issue limited to one country, but a threat related to international peace and security,” he said. Mr Pezeshkian sharply criticised the existing international system, saying the credibility of global governance depended on its ability to protect all countries, regardless of their size or power. “If the United Nations Charter cannot protect nations against the unlawful resort to force, and if international rules are binding for some and open to interpretation for others, one cannot speak of genuine multilateralism,” he said. He also highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, questioning the legitimacy of a multilateral system that could not protect civilians and national sovereignty against war, genocide and aggression. He called for genuine reform rather than a response limited to statements. The Iranian president outlined four priorities for more inclusive global governance: equal respect for national sovereignty and international law, reform of the UN Security Council and international financial institutions, greater use of national currencies and independent payment mechanisms, and a serious response to unilateral sanctions. Putin accuses colonial-minded states of resisting emergence of multipolar world Xi Jinping urges BRICS to stand on ‘right side of history’, calls for West Asia peace ARTI BALI PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 12 September Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday accused countries with a “colonial mindset” of resisting the emergence of a multipolar world through tariff wars, sanctions, interference in the internal affairs of other nations and the use of force. Addressing the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Mr Putin said the global balance of power is shifting towards new centres of growth in the Global South and the East, while countries are increasingly asserting their national interests and seeking a greater role in global affairs. “The unipolar system of international relations, which Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. IANS served a narrow group of countries, is becoming a thing of the past. The balance of power is being redistributed in favor of new centers of growth in the Global South and East,” Mr Putin said. The Russian leader said the authority and influence of BRICS were steadily growing, with member states expanding cooperation across politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian spheres. “It is quite logical,” he said. He said an increasing number of countries are openly defending their national interests and participating in efforts to address global challenges, describing the trend as part of the emergence of a multipolar world order. “More and more states are loudly and clearly declaring their readiness to defend their national interests and participate in addressing global issues,” Putin said. Mr Putin, however, warned that the transition towards a multipolar world is facing resistance from countries unwilling to accept the changing balance of power. He accused such states of attempting to restrain the growth of competitors through economic pressure, political interference and force. New Delhi, 12 September Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on BRICS countries to take a more active role in promoting global peace and stability, saying the ongoing conflict in West Asia has caused serious suffering and does not serve the international community’s common interests. Addressing the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, Mr Xi said the grouping should uphold national sovereignty, oppose interference in the internal affairs of states and work toward a fairer international order. “BRICS countries should firmly stand on the right side of history,” Mr Xi said, urging members to shoulder greater responsibility in addressing global challenges. His remarks came against the backdrop of continuing hostilities involving Iran and the wider West Asian region, which affected energy supplies, trade and transportation, intensifying concerns over regional stability. Mr Xi said the conflict had inflicted “serious losses” on people across the Middle East and the Gulf region. He stressed that Beijing was prepared to work with other BRICS members to contribute to restoring peace and stability. “China will work with other BRICS members to play its due role in achieving peace and tranquillity in the Middle East and Gulf region,” he said. The Chinese President also outlined a broader role for BRICS, calling on the grouping to contribute to innovative development, strengthen exchanges among civilisations and push for reforms in global governance. He said BRICS members should help steer the international system towards greater justice and equity while working collectively towards what he described as a community with a shared future for humanity. Mr Xi further called for greater BRICS engagement in emerging strategic domains, including cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea, and urged the grouping to amplify the voice and representation of the Global South in global decision-making. Xi also announced that China will assume the BRICS presidency next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Mr Xi at Bharat Mandapam, where the summit is being held. The two leaders' interaction assumes significance as India-China ties have been undergoing efforts towards stabilisation following years of tensions along the border. The meeting marks the second interaction between Mr Modi and Mr Xi in roughly a year. They had previously met on 31 August 2025, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China.