PM Modi To Visit 5-Nations Starting July 2, Operation Sindoor Outreach On Agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a tour from July 2 to 9, visiting five nations with a focus on security cooperation and counter-terrorism. The trip includes stops in Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. It will culminate at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7.

India is seeking global support following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. In response, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7 to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan. During the BRICS Summit, India aims to secure a unified condemnation of the attack in the leaders' joint declaration.

Strengthening Ties with Global South

The five-nation tour aligns with India's strategy to deepen engagement with emerging economies and strengthen partnerships across the Global South. Brazil's agenda for the BRICS Summit closely matches India's positions on development and economic cooperation. This alignment is expected to enhance India's influence in strategically important regions across Latin America and Africa.

Modi's visit to Brazil will include a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília on July 8. Discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, oil and gas, renewable energy, space, and technology. Currently, bilateral trade between India and Brazil stands at approximately $12.2 billion, favouring India.

Landmark Visits to Ghana and Trinidad

In Ghana, Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit in over three decades. Talks will centre on enhancing economic cooperation as current bilateral trade amounts to USD 3 billion, largely due to India's gold imports from Ghana. Indian investments there are valued at around USD 2 billion.

In Namibia, where no Indian prime minister has visited for 27 years, a significant highlight will be signing an agreement for interoperability between India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Namibia's payment systems.

Uniting BRICS Amidst Absences

Despite the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, Modi's presence underscores India's commitment to BRICS. India is set to chair the grouping next year, making this summit crucial for reaffirming solidarity among member states.

Dammu Ravi from India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that all BRICS members have shown "understanding, sympathy and solidarity" with India after the Pahalgam incident. He noted a shared understanding of how to tackle terrorism effectively.

Officials highlighted that Modi's meetings during his tour would focus on defence and security cooperation as well as trade and investment opportunities. These discussions aim to bolster India's presence in regions of strategic importance across Latin America and Africa.

The upcoming summit is expected to reflect India's call for global action against terrorism in its outcome document. Ravi clarified that there is no division within BRICS regarding terrorism issues: "This has been very well captured in the (leaders') declaration," he said.