PM Modi highlights India’s strides in digital payments and infrastructure creation
Highlighting India's growth trajectory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited BRICS business leaders to participate in the country's developmental journey.

Prime Minister Modi, who was participating in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg on August 22, 2023, summarised the key points he made in a series of posts on Twitter.

"BRICS Business Forum gave me an opportunity to highlight India’s growth trajectory and the steps taken to boost ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and public service delivery. Also emphasised on India’s strides in digital payments, infrastructure creation, the world of StartUps and more," he wrote.

"India believes in ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’ Over the last few years we have made immense strides in IT, semiconductors and other such futuristic sectors. Our economic vision also places immense importance on empowerment of women," Prime Minister Modi added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Prime Minister highlighted the various reforms being undertaken by India to improve the ease of doing business, including technology-based solutions to address the social and economic challenges. He also invited BRICS business leaders to participate in India’s developmental journey.

Prime Minister Modi noted that Covid-19 had highlighted the importance of resilient and inclusive supply chains, and emphasized the importance of mutual trust and transparency for this. He also stressed that together, BRICS can contribute significantly to global welfare, particularly of the Global South, the MEA added.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Johannesburg earlier in the day, was warmly welcomed at the airport by South African Deputy President Paul Shipokosa Mashatile. A ceremonial welcome was also accorded to the Indian Prime Minister.

He also received a welcome from South Africa's Indian community. "Gratitude to South Africa’s Indian community for the special welcome in Johannesburg," Prime Minister Modi tweeted, sharing some photographs.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting South Africa from August 22-24, 2023 at the invitation President Cyril Ramaphosa, to attend the 15th BRICS Summit being held in Johannesburg under the South African Chairmanship. This is the first in-person BRICS Summit after three consecutive years of virtual meetings owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 15th BRICS Summit will provide a useful opportunity for the grouping to identify future areas of cooperation and review institutional development, Prime Minister Modi said as he departed for South Africa from New Delhi.