PM Modi Departs For Russia To Attend BRICS Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for his two-day visit to Russia to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan. He is likely to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS member countries and invited leaders in Kazan.

In his departure Statement, the PM said, "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."

He noted that the expansion of BRICS with the addition of new members last year has added to its inclusivity and agenda for the global good. "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. I look forward to meeting other leaders from BRICS as well," the statement added.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "The Summit, themed 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,' will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues." It further said, "The Summit will offer a valuable opportunity to assess the progress of initiatives launched by BRICS and to identify potential areas for future collaboration."

This is PM Modi second visit to Russia in 2024 after his visit to Moscow in July to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

India's Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar on Monday highlighted India's role in BRICS and said that New Delhi is committed to economic cooperation within the framework of the BRICS.

The ambassador noted the growing interest from countries in the Global South in collaborating with BRICS countries. This interest underscores the importance of expanding economic cooperation among member nations.

Focus on Economic Cooperation

BRICS has been focusing on enhancing economic ties and trade settlements using national currencies. Sustainable development remains a priority, with particular attention to Prime Minister Modi's LiFE mission addressing climate change challenges.

Digital inclusion and financial inclusion for marginalised communities are also key areas of focus. The aim is to share India's achievements in these sectors with fellow BRICS members.

Women-Led Development and Digital Initiatives

India's initiatives in women-led development and digital public infrastructure (DPI) are noteworthy. The ambassador mentioned efforts to make these initiatives more widely accepted within BRICS.

The emphasis is on deepening economic cooperation and extending benefits to a larger part of the global south. Sharing successful models like UPI is part of this strategy.

The upcoming visit by PM Modi aims to strengthen these collaborative efforts further. It reflects India's commitment to fostering stronger ties within the BRICS framework.