Modi Holds 15 Bilateral Talks at BRICS Summit, Trade and Defence in Focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with visiting leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Leaders' Summit, with trade, investment, defence and people-to-people ties emerging as the dominant themes. Officials said the Prime Minister held 15 such meetings over three days, including talks on Sunday with the leaders of South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Burundi, Uganda and Nigeria.

In his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Modi said the two sides reviewed the full scope of the India-South Africa strategic partnership. The discussions covered mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies. Modi described the partnership as rooted in history and focused on the future, adding that the two countries would work closely for Africa's progress, the priorities of the Global South and a more balanced global order. The Ministry of External Affairs said the leaders exchanged views on global issues of mutual interest and agreed to maintain close coordination in multilateral forums.

With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Modi discussed regional issues and growing bilateral ties. In a social media post, the Prime Minister described the interaction as wonderful and said the India-Egypt friendship has been expanding significantly in recent times. Egypt is seen as an increasingly important partner for India in West Asian and North African affairs.

Modi also met Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who chairs the African Union. The two leaders underlined the importance of the India-African Union partnership as a key pillar of cooperation within the Global South and discussed the early convening of the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit. They recalled India's role in bringing the African Union into the G20 during India's presidency in 2023.

In talks with Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Prime Minister reviewed the multifaceted relationship between the two countries, covering trade and investment, defence and security, energy, agriculture, health and digital technologies. The leaders also discussed a more representative, inclusive and multi-polar international order.

Other leaders Modi met on Sunday included Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo. Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, discussing the West Asia conflict and reviewing bilateral ties. The Saudi minister was in New Delhi for the final day of the summit.