As the BRICS Summit continues in Kazan, Prime Minister Modi engages with world leaders, affirming India’s commitment to global peace and cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to hold a significant bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, October 23, 2024, during the second day of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. This much-anticipated discussion follows a recent breakthrough on military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, highlighting the ongoing complexities in India-China relations.

On the summit’s first day, PM Modi engaged in fruitful discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In his meeting with President Putin, Modi reiterated India’s dedication to assisting in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, emphasising the need for a peaceful resolution. This commitment aligns with India’s long-standing position advocating for dialogue and diplomacy in international conflicts.

During a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underscored a central theme of the summit: the establishment of a partner country model within BRICS. This model aims to create modalities and guidelines for enhancing collaboration among BRICS nations and their partners. Misri remarked, “One of the focus areas is…the modalities and guidelines for implementing a partner country model with BRICS,” indicating that discussions would encompass a range of political, strategic, economic, and cultural issues.

Earlier today, PM Modi visited an exhibition celebrating Mahatma Gandhi, further emphasising India’s cultural diplomacy at the summit. The exhibition, staged in Kazan, seeks to reinforce the values of peace and non-violence championed by Gandhi, reflecting India’s commitment to these principles on the global stage.

In a separate meeting, Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi commended Russian support for Egypt’s national projects, particularly the development of its first nuclear power plant at El-Dabaa, built by Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom. Putin lauded Egypt as a reliable partner, highlighting the robust trade relationship between Russia and Africa.

As the BRICS Summit progresses, the outcomes of these high-stakes meetings will be closely monitored, with leaders grappling with pressing global challenges and the shifting geopolitical landscape. The discussions are expected to shape the future of collaboration among BRICS nations and their partners, reinforcing a collective commitment to stability and development.