PM Modi Set to Attend BRICS Summit in South Africa; Bilateral Meeting with Chinese President Possible

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 22 August 2023

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to depart for South Africa to attend the 15th BRICS Summit, marking the return of in-person meetings after three years of virtual gatherings due to the global pandemic. The event's theme, 'BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism,' reflects the focus on collaboration.

Amidst speculation, it's uncertain whether PM Modi will engage in a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra mentioned that India's schedule for bilateral discussions with leaders present at the event is still in development.

The BRICS Summit gathers leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, providing a platform for deliberations on global issues, economic cooperation, and shared growth strategies.

Accompanying the Prime Minister, a business delegation from India will partake in Business Tracks meetings and engage in forums related to the BRICS Business Council, BRICS Women Business Alliance, and the BRICS Business Forum.

India, while actively participating in the BRICS initiative, also expresses openness to the expansion of the alliance, considering the interest expressed by several countries.

Following the BRICS Summit, Narendra Modi is scheduled to make an official visit to Greece, marking the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to the nation in 40 years. The visit signifies India's commitment to strengthening ties with Greece across various sectors.

During his stay in Greece, Modi will engage in discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to explore avenues for deepening cooperation in trade, investments, defense, and people-to-people relations. The leaders are expected to discuss regional and global matters of mutual interest, further enhancing bilateral engagement.

The visit aims to bolster ties between India and Greece, which share strong civilizational connections that have gained momentum through collaborations in maritime transport, defense, trade, investments, and people-to-people interactions.

The diplomatic effort underscores India's commitment to strengthening partnerships on the global stage, fostering economic growth, and addressing shared challenges through multilateral cooperation.