PM Narendra Modi Commences a Four-Day Visit to South Africa and Greece

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a four-day trip to South Africa and Greece. During his visit to South Africa, PM Modi will participate in the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from August 22-24. This invitation comes from the country’s president, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

PM Modi emphasized that BRICS plays an active role in promoting strong cooperation in various fields and provides a forum to discuss important matters for the entire Global South. He also expressed anticipation for one-on-one discussions with “certain leaders attending the event in Johannesburg.”

“BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system,” PM Modi stated.

BRICS constitutes a consortium of global economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Scheduled from August 22 to 24, the BRICS summit will mark Prime Minister Modi’s third voyage to South Africa and commemorate three decades of diplomatic ties between India and South Africa.

The current BRICS session is presided over by South Africa. The theme of this year’s summit is: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism”

The PM further said: “During my stay in Johannesburg, I will also participate in BRICS–Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue event that will be held as part of the BRICS Summit activities. I look forward to interacting with a number of guest countries that have been invited to participate in this event.”

After three consecutive years of virtual gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the upcoming BRICS Summit will mark the return to in-person meetings for the first time.

During the 15th BRICS Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part remotely, while the Russian delegation will be under the leadership of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov will also engage in a unique session centered on the topic “Brics – Africa outreach and Brics plus dialogue,” which has been arranged subsequent to the BRICS Summit. This event, convened by South Africa, will encompass numerous nations, primarily hailing from Africa, that have received invitations to participate.

Following an invitation from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of South Africa will journey to Athens, Greece on Friday.
According to the release PM Modi said “This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honor to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years.”

“Contacts between our two civilizations stretch back over two millennia. In modern times, our ties have been strengthened by shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and pluralism. Cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defense, and cultural and people-to-people contacts have been bringing our two countries closer,” the PM said on the civilizational ties between India and Greece.

Also Read: Telangana: BRS announces candidates list for State Assembly Polls

Catch all the Latest Business News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on NewsX)