As Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday, all attention is focused on a scheduled bilateral meeting. This would be their first meeting since the border standoff began in May 2020. Officials have indicated that the schedule is still being finalized, leaving open the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders.
The BRICS summit, which is taking place in person this time after three years of virtual meetings, will address the expansion of the grouping as a key agenda item. Approximately 23 countries have applied for membership in BRICS.
Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra stated, “We have a positive attitude and are open to discussing BRICS expansion.” He mentioned that the inclusion of new members is currently being discussed among the Sherpas of the grouping, emphasizing that the outcome remains uncertain.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the summit, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be present. Modi is scheduled to attend the summit from August 22-24, participating in various events including the BRICS Business Forum leaders’ dialogue, a leaders’ retreat, plenary sessions, and special events focusing on global concerns and partnership with Africa.
After a three-year standoff, the in-person BRICS summit presents an important opportunity for Indian and Chinese leaders to meet and work towards normalizing ties. However, military leaders must first agree on the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh.
Following his visit to South Africa, Modi will visit Greece on August 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years, highlighting the significance of strengthening ties in various areas including maritime transport, defense, trade, investments, and people-to-people relations.
India and Greece share historical ties that have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in various sectors. Discussions during Modi’s visit will focus on security and defense cooperation, particularly in light of Greece’s naval capacity. Defense and security cooperation will be central to the discussions, aiming for substantive and forward-looking outcomes.
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