Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday concluded a “very productive” visit to South Africa during which he attended the “historic” 15th BRICS summit and held talks with several world leaders to further strengthen India’s ties with the countries. Had bilateral meetings with
Modi arrived in South Africa on Tuesday for the first in-person BRICS summit after three consecutive years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on Twitter, “PM Narendra Modi concludes a productive visit to South Africa, opening a new chapter in the BRICS journey. PM now heads to Greece for talks with an important Mediterranean partner.” will depart.”
“My visit to South Africa was very fruitful. The BRICS summit was fruitful and historic as we welcomed new countries to this platform. We will continue to work together for the global good. President @CyrilRamaphosa, my condolences to the people and government of the South Gratitude thanks Africa for their hospitality,” Modi posted on Twitter.
On Tuesday, Modi attended the Leaders’ Retreat with his counterparts from China, South Africa and Brazil. Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
He held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, during which they reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.
He held bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including the presidents of Iran, Senegal and Mozambique, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Thursday.
During talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Modi also conveyed India’s concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping over the “unresolved” issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
BRICS on Thursday decided to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as full members of the grouping.
With the entry of six countries, the total number of members in the grouping will increase to 11 from the current five.
Modi will visit Athens on Friday at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Modi’s visit to Athens assumes significance as it will be the first Prime Ministerial visit from India since the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Greece in September 1983.
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