In 2023, PM Modi to travel to South Africa for BRICS summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming journey to Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit reflects India’s commitment to engaging with other major emerging economies. The BRICS summit, scheduled for August 22-24, will convene the leaders of the five member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
BRICS is an influential grouping of countries with rapidly developing economies, and the summit serves as a platform for discussing issues of common interest and global significance. The leaders will likely discuss various topics, including economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology, and other strategic matters.
Before the summit, Prime Minister Modi held a phone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday. This discussion is indicative of the close ties and mutual interests between India and South Africa, as both countries are BRICS members and share common goals in promoting economic growth, development, and regional stability.
The BRICS summit provides an opportunity for the leaders to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhancing cooperation within the framework of BRICS. Additionally, the summit allows for dialogue on international affairs, regional challenges, and global governance issues.
Participation in the BRICS summit reinforces India’s commitment to multilateralism and its active role in shaping the global economic and political agenda. By engaging with other BRICS countries, India aims to foster greater collaboration and partnership to address shared challenges and work towards common goals.
Overall, Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the BRICS summit signifies India’s dedication to strengthening regional and global ties and seeking common ground with other emerging economies in addressing the complex issues of our time. The summit provides a crucial platform for dialogue and cooperation, and it is an opportunity for the leaders to discuss ways to enhance the welfare and prosperity of their respective nations and the broader international community.
The phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was an occasion to discuss bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties between the two nations, especially as they are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. President Ramaphosa expressed his interest in visiting India for the G20 summit later in the year.
India currently holds the presidency of the G20 group, a forum that brings together major economies to discuss global economic issues and coordinate policy responses. As the host of the G20 summit, India is gearing up to welcome leaders from member countries for the important gathering scheduled to take place in early September.
In his tweet following the conversation, PM Modi expressed pleasure in speaking with President Ramaphosa and reaffirmed the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation between India and South Africa. He also mentioned his anticipation for participating in the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which is scheduled for later in the same month.
The BRICS summit provides an opportunity for leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to come together and address a range of issues of mutual interest, spanning economics, trade, geopolitics, and other areas of collaboration. The BRICS platform allows member countries to discuss matters affecting their regions and the world at large, and it facilitates the exploration of avenues for joint initiatives and strategic partnerships.
Both the BRICS and G20 summits are significant events in the international diplomatic calendar, offering opportunities for countries to engage in constructive dialogue, foster cooperation, and shape policies that have implications for global economic stability and development.
As India holds the presidency of the G20 and participates in the BRICS summit, the country is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the global agenda and promoting multilateral cooperation. These engagements reflect India’s commitment to international cooperation and its active role in addressing pressing global challenges and opportunities.
According to a Bloomberg report, China and Russia are reportedly interested in expanding the BRICS group by inducting more nations. Their aim is to counter the dominance of the US-led Western powers in global affairs. However, India has reservations about welcoming additional members into BRICS.
The BRICS grouping, which initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was coined by Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs to refer to the four fastest-growing emerging economies. The group held its first summit in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In 2010, South Africa was invited to join, expanding the group to BRICS.
It appears that China and Russia are interested in further expanding the group to strengthen its collective influence and challenge the Western-led world order. However, India has concerns about adding more countries to the bloc, possibly due to considerations related to the group’s dynamics, decision-making processes, and the potential dilution of its effectiveness with a larger membership.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in person due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Instead, he will participate in the summit via video link.
The expansion of BRICS or the addition of new member countries may be a topic of discussion and contention at the upcoming summit in Johannesburg. Each member country’s perspective and interests will need to be taken into account as the group navigates its role and future direction in global affairs.
