Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 October 2026 called for a new global order built on the collective well-being of humankind, asserting that international cooperation must hold firm during crises — not just in prosperous times — and that the Global South must have a meaningful voice in shaping world affairs. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi, Modi outlined India's vision as a stabilising, bridge-building force in an increasingly fragmented world.

A World Order Rooted in Humanity, Not Power

Modi drew on the ancient Kautilyan concept of Matsya Nyaya — from the Arthashastra, literally the law of the fish, where the powerful devour the weak — to frame the danger of a world without equitable governance structures. He argued that the existing global architecture risks reproducing precisely this dynamic if multilateral institutions are not reformed. “At a time when cooperation was most needed, many nations that had earlier championed globalisation prioritised their own narrow interests,” he said, reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was during that period of fractured trust, Modi recalled, that he first proposed a ‘New World Order for the Collective Well-being of Humankind’ from the G20 platform in 2020 — placing humanity, rather than national interest, at the centre of international relations.

India’s Pandemic Role and the ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ Frame

The Prime Minister highlighted that India supplied vaccines and medicines to over 100 countries during the pandemic, even as many wealthy nations prioritised domestic stockpiling. He positioned this as evidence of India’s identity as a Vishwa Bandhu — a friend to the world. “Guided by the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ India continues to act as a reliable partner rather than a self-interested power,” Modi said.

This framing connects to India’s broader diplomatic posture: neither non-aligned in the Cold War sense nor transactional in the great-power sense, but presenting itself as a responsible, capable partner to the developing world. Notably, this narrative was sharpened during India’s G20 and BRICS presidencies, both of which produced consensus declarations despite the presence of nations with sharply conflicting interests.

G20, BRICS and the Trust India Built

Modi pointed to India’s leadership of both the G20 and BRICS summits as concrete proof of the country’s capacity to build consensus in a divided world. The fact that declarations were adopted at both forums — initially considered unlikely given geopolitical tensions — was, he argued, a reflection of the trust the international community places in India as a mediator. He underlined that reforms in multilateral institutions remain essential and that global cooperation must not be contingent on favourable conditions alone.

Viksit Bharat as a Global Guarantee

Turning to domestic ambition, Modi linked India’s development targets to global benefit. “The vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) is not only for the country’s own progress but also a guarantee of stability and prosperity for the world,” he said. He pointed to India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy, its rank among the leaders in green energy, its top-three standing in AI and startup ecosystems, and its global lead in real-time digital payments.

Modi also cited recent capability milestones: the commissioning of a breeder reactor, the launch of a digital census process, and the introduction of India’s first hydrogen-powered train. As India moves toward becoming one of the world’s top three economies, he said, its skilled workforce and robust economy would contribute to global confidence in innovation and productivity.

What Comes Next

The speech at the NDTV World Summit comes ahead of several high-stakes multilateral engagements, where India’s Global South advocacy and multilateral reform agenda are expected to feature prominently. Whether the rhetorical framework of ‘humanity-centred global order’ translates into concrete institutional proposals — at the United Nations or beyond — will be closely watched by both allies and sceptics.