At BRICS meet, PM Modi urges for virtual centre of infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed upon the need for a virtual centre of infrastructure among the BRICS nations, adding that the group focuses largely on developing countries.

"Prime Minister Modi started the morning with an informal meeting of the BRICS nations. Each of the BRICS leaders provided their view of the global situation. He talked of a need to restructure global economic institutions which is an ongoing process but has stalled for some time," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told the media.

"The Prime Minister felt that the BRICS countries should consider a possible virtual centre for infrastructure because the BRICS is an organisation that is focussed largely among developing countries. It could be accessible to all countries, could be a hub for sharing information, sharing innovative practices, policies, technologies, and guidance and advice," he added.

Akbaruddin further said that while the proposal is similar to ideas given in the past, Prime Minister Modi's suggestion is unique because it would take place in on a digital platform.

"The basic difference in the Prime Minister's idea is that it could be done digitally or virtually rather than in terms of having a concrete structure," he said.

According to Akbaruddin, Prime Minister Modi also talked of the need to focus newer, smarter infrastructure.

"The Prime Minister also felt that apart from physical infrastructure, we should focus also on digital infrastructure. He further talked of next generational infrastructure, climate resistant infrastructure, infrastructure that will help convert waste into inputs, clean energy, energy efficiency, and so on," he said.

Prime Minister Modi is currently in Brisbane, where he is attending the G-20 Summit. On Sunday, he travels to Sydney, where he will address the Indian diaspora, before visiting Canberra and Melbourne. On November 18, he leaves for Fiji, which is the final leg of his three-nation, 10 day trip.