LIVE | BRICS Summit: Modi meets Putin, again seeks peaceful end to Ukraine war
This is the first summit of the grouping after five more countries – Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE – joined it
The 16th BRICS Summit that is being hosted by Russia from October 22 to 24 gains significance in the light of the entry of five new member countries to the grouping.
The summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), which now has expanded with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, is being held in the Russian city of Kazan.
Modi, Xi talks likely
Emphasising the key role of the collective in serving as a platform for dialogue and discussion on a range of global issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who left for Russia on Tuesday (October 22) morning, said the expansion has enhanced BRICS inclusivity and agenda for the global good.
Being hosted by Russia, the summit is being seen as an attempt by non-Western powers to project their clout amid the conflict in Ukraine and the escalating situation in West Asia.
Modi is set hold a series of bilateral meetings, including with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the margins of the BRICS. He held one with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after landing in Kazan on Tuesday.
While China is yet to confirm the meeting, the prospects brightened after India on Monday (October 21) announced a major breakthrough, ending the over four-year-long military standoff in Eastern Ladakh with its neighbour which had brought the relations to a standstill.
First 10-member BRICS meet
It will be the first summit of the grouping after it was expanded at its summit in Johannesburg last year.
"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," Modi said in his departure statement.
Modi said his visit to Kazan will further reinforce the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' between India and Russia.
The prime minister visited Moscow in July during which he held summit talks with President Putin.
"Building upon the annual summit held in July 2024 in Moscow, my visit to Kazan will further reinforce the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi said.
The BRIC, as a formal grouping, started after the meeting of the leaders of Russia, India and China in St. Petersburg in 2006. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa in 2010.
Last year's expansion was the first such exercise since 2010.
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The Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved in a peaceful manner, and India is ready to provide all possible cooperation towards it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
In his televised opening remarks, the prime minister conveyed to the Russian leader that New Delhi “fully supports” the early return of peace and stability in the region.
Modi also said that his second visit to Russia in the last three months reflected “close” coordination and deep trust between the two countries.
“We are in constant touch on the issue of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I said earlier, we believe that problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner,” the prime minister said.
“We fully support the early return of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in times to come,” he said.
The prime minister also referred to his summit talks with Putin in Moscow in July. “Our annual summit resulted in strengthening cooperation in every field,” he said.
Modi congratulated Putin on Russia’s successful presidency of BRICS and said many countries want to join the grouping now.