Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his visit to South Africa on August 24 while describing the BRICS Summit as “fruitful and historic”. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with heads of state and eminent scientists.
The 15th BRICS summit was historic in the sense that the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) members agreed to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates into the grouping.
PM Modi met the PM of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, and held key discussions on trade and investment, defence cooperation, ICT, agriculture, skilling of youth, and people-to-people linkages. They also exchanged views on important regional and global issues.
Strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Iran, PM Modi held bilateral talks with the President of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, connectivity, energy, and counter-terrorism. Both sides agreed to fast-track infrastructure cooperation, including the Chabahar project.
Furthermore, during a meeting between PM Modi and President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique, President Nyusi appreciated India’s initiative for G20 permanent membership of the African Union. PM Modi also met with Senegal’s President Macky Sall. Both leaders held fruitful discussions on ways to deepen their bilateral partnership across various sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, energy, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, railways, capacity building, culture, and people-to-people ties.
Notably, during a meeting between PM Modi and Siyabulela Xuza, a renowned rocket scientist and Founder and Managing Director of Galactic Energy Ventures, Xuza credited Digital India for his success and highlighted his ongoing projects in India. In addition, PM Modi exchanged views with Dr. Himla Soodyall, noted geneticist and CEO of the Academy of Science, on the domain of human genetic lines and its application in disease screening.