NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia for the Brics Summit in Kazan on Tuesday, focusing on economic cooperation and other key issues within the Brics framework. Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, highlighted India’s commitment to this cooperation, noting its foundational role.
Kumar said that the summit’s agenda includes expanding economic ties, trade in national currencies, and sustainable development.
PM Modi attends 16th Brics summit in Kazan: Top agenda
- PM Modi’s LiFE mission to combat
climate change , digital inclusion, and financial inclusion of marginalised communities are also key focus areas.
- India plans to share achievements, including women-led development and digital infrastructure like UPI, with Brics members.
- Kumar emphasised, “India is a founding member of Brics and is committed to economic cooperation within the framework of Brics, which was a very foundational principle.”
- During his two-day visit, PM Modi will participate in the Brics summit and hold bilateral meetings, including one with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The leaders are expected to discuss their goal of reaching a trade target of $100 billion by 2030. The next India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting is scheduled for November to finalise new targets in various sectors.
- Cultural cooperation remains a key aspect of
India-Russia relations , with Kumar mentioning the popularity of Indian films and cultural exchanges. The announcement of an Indian consulate in Kazan aims to enhance this cooperation further.
- President Putin recently praised Indian films’ popularity in Russia, expressing interest in promoting them and discussing potential joint film projects with PM Modi. He said, “I’m ready to talk with our friend, the Prime Minister of India when he arrives in Kazan. I’m sure we will come to terms 100 per cent.”
- The Brics Summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,” provides a platform for leaders to discuss global issues and future collaboration areas. Brics represents 41% of the world population, 24% of global GDP, and over 16% of world trade.
- Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Brics member countries and other invited leaders in Kazan.
- The situation in Gaza and Iran-Israel tensions are likely to dominate the international agenda of the summit with both Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian and Palestine’s leader Mahmoud Abbas attending the event.
The group first met in 2006, became Brics with South Africa’s inclusion in 2010, and continues to play a significant role in global economic discussions.