BRICS Summit 2024 Live: PM Begins 2-Day Russia Visit; Set to Meet Prez Putin, Xi and Others

India values the close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on a range of issues concerning the global developmental agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Modi said this in a statement as he embarks upon a two-day visit to the Russian city of Kazan to attend the annual summit of the BRICS grouping.

“India values the close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation, building resilient supply chains, promoting cultural and people to people connect, among others,” he said.

As India views BRICS as crucial for global multipolarity and addressing global challenges, PM Modi will hold main discussions on Wednesday.  Furthermore, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the grouping serves as a vital platform to tackle a range of global challenges, while also contributing to shaping a fairer, more exclusive and open international order.

Reports suggest that leaders are expected to adopt the Kazan declaration, shaping the future path for BRICS cooperation.

PM Modi will greet and shake hands with multiple world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Indian Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral talks with some BRICS leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and are expected to discuss the Ukraine conflict.

While there is no official confirmation, there is speculation that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may also hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on a two-day visit (October 22-23) to Russia’s Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit. This is said to be the group’s first summit after its expansion last year. The group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (added in 2010), which expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.