On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key leaders from across Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Central Asia. The deliberations focused on advancing strategic partnerships, expanding economic and technological cooperation, and championing the shared priorities and developmental aspirations of the Global South.
Strengthening India’s deep-rooted ties with Africa formed a major highlight of the discussions. PM Modi met with the Chairperson of the African Union and President of Burundi, H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, where both leaders emphasized the India-AU partnership as a crucial pillar of Global South cooperation and discussed early dates for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit. In his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leaders reviewed their multifaceted strategic partnership and discussed global multilateral coordination, with PM Modi inviting South Africa to join the International Big Cat Alliance. Additionally, talks with Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha focused on boosting bilateral engagement across trade, defense, energy, and digital technology, while discussions with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s ‘Vision 2040’ developmental goals.
Expanding strategic outreach across Asia and Central Asia, Prime Minister Modi also held productive bilateral sessions with the President of the Philippines, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Welcoming the Philippines in its capacity as the current ASEAN chair, PM Modi agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, infrastructure, fintech, and space, while welcoming the country’s decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Meanwhile, the meeting with Kazakh President Tokayev focused on building upon ancient civilizational links to enhance strategic collaboration in trade, connectivity, energy, emerging technologies, and critical minerals for regional peace and economic prosperity.
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