PM Modi embarks on two-day visit to Russia for 16th BRICS Summit

It will be PM Modi’s second visit to Russia this year as he travelled to Moscow in July to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

India values the close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on a range of issues concerning the global developmental agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he embarked upon a two-day visit to the Russian city of Kazan to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. This year marks the group’s first meeting following its expansion last year.

Taking to microblogging site X, the PM wrote, "Leaving for Kazan, Russia, to take part in the BRICS Summit. India attaches immense importance to BRICS, and I look forward to extensive discussions on a wide range of subjects. I also look forward to meeting various leaders there".

"India values the close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation, building resilient supply chains, promoting cultural and people to people connect, among others," he stated.

He also underscored, "The expansion of BRICS with the addition of new members last year has added to its inclusivity and agenda for the global good".

He further noted, "Building upon the Annual Summit held in July 2024 in Moscow, my visit to Kazan will further reinforce the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia".

PM Modi, on the sidelines of the summit, being held under the chairmanship of Russia from October 22-24, will hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from the other BRICS member nations. The grouping, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (added in 2010), expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates this year.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “The Summit, themed ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,’ will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.” It further said, “The Summit will offer a valuable opportunity to assess the progress of initiatives launched by BRICS and to identify potential areas for future collaboration.”

Last month, President Putin extended an invitation to PM Modi, proposing a bilateral meeting on October 22, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. During the invitation, Putin referred to PM Modi as a “good friend.”

It will be PM Modi’s second visit to Russia this year as he travelled to Moscow in July to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. During his visit to Russia, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin.

Ahead of PM Modi's visit to Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Monday, hailed the longstanding nature of India-Russia relations, asserting that Moscow has never acted against India's interests. Jaishankar stated, "PM Modi is going to Russia tomorrow. If you look at our history with Russia after independence, I can say that Russia has never done anything to impact our interests negatively. There are not many countries about whom you can say this", at the NDTV World Summit.

He also acknowledged the shifting landscape of Russia's global relationships, remarking, "Today, Russia’s situation is different. Its relationship with the West has obviously broken down. So you have a Russia that is turning much more towards Asia".

BRICS Summit 2024

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Russia, Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said on Monday that India is a founding member of BRICS and is committed to economic cooperation within the framework of BRICS, which he stressed was a “very foundational principle.”

Kumar stated that some of the issues that are on the agenda in the BRICS Summit set to take place in Kazan include further expansion of economic cooperation, trade settlement in national currencies, and sustainable development, particularly PM Modi’s LiFE mission to address the problems of climate change.

Elaborating on PM Modi’s engagements in Russia, the Indian envoy said, “Prime Minister’s main engagement is of course participation in the BRICS summit. Other than that, he would have some bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. One of them which is firmed up is with President Putin. Some others may also work out.”

BRICS is an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising 41 percent of the world population, 24 percent of the world GDP, and over 16 percent share in the world trade.