Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit on Wednesday (August 23). While giving details of the meeting, PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “We discussed a wide range of issues aimed at deepening India-South Africa relations. Trade, defence, and investment linkages featured prominently in our discussions.”
The Prime Minister also said that both countries will keep working together to strengthen the voice of the global south. The Ministry of External Affairs also informed that both sides exchanged views on continued coordination in multilateral bodies and regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
In addition, President Ramaphosa expressed full support for India’s G20 presidency. It is pertinent to note that under India’s G20 presidency, participation from Africa is the highest ever. During the meeting, President Ramaphosa appreciated India’s initiative for giving the African Union full membership of G20. India is all set to hold the G20 Summit next month.
The Ministry also announced that PM Modi has accepted President Ramaphosa’s invitation to pay a state visit to South Africa at a mutually convenient date.
The summit is structured into two sessions – one is a closed plenary that will focus on items pertaining to intra-BRICS cooperation as well as the reform of the multilateral system and counter-terrorism issues. Thereafter, there is an open plenary, which would see the participation of other entities and organisations that are associated with BRICS.
Following his engagements in Johannesburg relating to the BRICS Summit, the Prime Minister will travel to Greece for an official visit on August 25th. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years.