Unilateral sanctions hurt global economy: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that “unilateral sanctions” are hurting the global economy, in a veiled attack on the West which has imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis. He pitched for stronger and deeper cooperation among the member countries of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) at a time when the global economy is “not strong” and crisis is being witnessed even in prominent developed nations like Europe.

“Unilateral sanctions are hurting the global economy. So it is very essential that BRICS economies deepen their cooperation. BRICS should also work with other developed regions,” he said, while addressing the BRICS Business Council meeting here, soon after the start of the BRICS Summit.

He did not elaborate but his comments were seen as a veiled attack on the US and other countries of the West which have imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.The West imposed sanctions on Moscow after Crimea joined Russia in March 2014. The stand-off between them have been escalated because of Russia’s role in the conflict in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin as also Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and South African President Jacob Zuma were present when Modi spoke.

“The global economy currently is not strong. Even prominent developed economies like Europe are in crisis. Financial markets are unstable,” the Prime Minister noted as he advocated the need for tapping the “unique” strengths that each member country of the BRICS and developing linkages.Modi pointed out that BRICS countries together form 44 per cent of the world population, contributing 40 per cent to the global GDP and 18 per cent to the world trade. “There are several similarities and resources among the BRICS countries like agriculture, manufacturing, technology, services, human resources, sustainable development,” he said, adding the economic cooperation among them would be a “driving force” for development. Modi favoured development of a manufacturing chain across the BRICS countries, saying it will help create jobs and benefit all the member nations. “We can tap our strengths like skill development,” he said, while pitching for a framework for development.

Modi proposed a 10-point initiative that includes India hosting the first trade fair for the grouping and establishing research centres for railways and agriculture.

Calling it ‘Das Kadam: Ten Steps for the Future’, Modi put forward new initiatives for the BRICS grouping that is formed by major emerging economies. At the Plenary session, the Prime Minister said that “the challenges that the world is faced with are for every country it’s important to have consensus, collaboration and cooperation between all major nations”.

The proposed initiatives for the BRICS include a trade fair, a Railway Research Centre, cooperation among supreme audit institutions, a Digital Initiative and an Agricultural Research Centre.Referring to BRICS New Development Bank, the Prime Minister said it should fund projects which have cross-border collaboration among the five member countries. He said the Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) of the BRICS will come into force soon, which will help in bringing about stability in the BRICs economies.

“I hope the member countries will be able to take benefit of financing arrangements and BRICS arrangement for export credit insurance and innovation,” he said.“BRICS reassurance pool for big projects is a welcome step. I hope that soon there will be an agreement with Customs Administration. This will be an important step in trade facilitation,” he said. He said the BRICS economic strategy to be adopted will be an important milestone in the development of the grouping. He also welcomed setting up of a dedicated BRICS information sharing and platform.