Shruti Suman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anticipation for the upcoming 15th BRICS Summit and his intent to engage in bilateral discussions with several leaders in Johannesburg. He had received an invitation from South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa to participate in this significant event. Modi also expressed his honor in being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece in over four decades.
Modi emphasized that the BRICS summit will serve as a valuable occasion for member countries to pinpoint potential areas of collaboration and assess the development of institutions. In a statement issued before his departure to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa, he stressed that the BRICS group has been actively pursuing a robust cooperation agenda across various sectors. He acknowledged BRICS as a crucial platform for deliberating on concerns shared by the Global South, including matters related to development and the restructuring of the multilateral system.
BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a coalition of prominent world economies. The summit is scheduled from August 22nd to 24th. This marks Modi’s third visit to South Africa and coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa.
The current presidency of BRICS lies with South Africa this year. The summit’s theme, “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism,” underscores the importance of collaboration between BRICS and African countries. This gathering also signifies the return to in-person meetings after three consecutive years of virtual summits due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his departure statement, PM Modi outlined his plans for participation in the 15th BRICS Summit, including involvement in the BRICS–Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue events. These engagements are part of the wider BRICS Summit program. He also expressed eagerness for bilateral interactions with leaders attending the summit in Johannesburg.
Following the BRICS Summit, PM Modi will travel to Athens, Greece, on August 25th, 2023, at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This visit holds significance as it marks Modi’s first trip to Greece and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. Modi emphasized the historical ties between India and Greece spanning over two thousand years and underscored the strengthening of modern-day relations based on shared democratic values, rule of law, and pluralism. The Prime Minister looked forward to this visit fostering a renewed phase of multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.
