BRICS Summit: PM Modi Optimistic About Global Welfare Discussions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed optimism regarding the upcoming BRICS Summit, anticipating fruitful discussions centred on various global challenges. The summit, taking place over two days in New Delhi, is designed to bring together world leaders to tackle critical issues affecting international welfare.

"Over the next few days, leaders from across the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. I am fully confident that the conference will see positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the aspiration of global welfare," Modi stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Key topics expected to be discussed include enhancing collective resilience in sectors such as food, energy, healthcare, disaster management, and vital supply chains. New Delhi aims to position BRICS as a stabilising force amid a fragmented geopolitical landscape.

The summit is set against a backdrop of significant global challenges, including the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, ongoing crises in West Asia like the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the trade policies introduced during the previous United States administration.

Prominent leaders participating in the summit include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and many others. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also in attendance, marking his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the Ukraine war commenced in February 2022.

Putin's visit is significant not only for the summit but also for bilateral discussions with Modi, focusing on areas such as defence, energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals. The two leaders are scheduled to meet on Friday afternoon.

As part of the security measures for this high-profile event, New Delhi has heightened its security protocols, deploying approximately 15,000 police officers, along with 200 paramilitary forces and over 500 surveillance cameras throughout the city. The Delhi Traffic Police have advised that while the city will not be entirely closed to traffic, temporary stoppages and diversions should be expected in areas frequently used by very important person (VIP) convoys.

Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has emphasised the significance of the gathering, suggesting that it presents India with an opportunity to assert its leadership on the global stage. Speaking to ANI, he noted that the participation of leaders from all 11 BRICS member countries, including major powers such as China, Iran, and Russia, presents a chance for New Delhi to foster dialogue and reduce global tensions.

The 18th BRICS Summit promises to be a platform for collaborative discussions aimed at addressing pressing global issues, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation in today’s complex geopolitical environment.