India values close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on a range of key issues concerning global developmental agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.
Modi made comments in a statement before embarking on a two-day visit to the Russian city of Kazan to attend the 16th summit of the BRICS grouping. “The expansion of BRICS with the addition of new members last year has added to its inclusivity and agenda for the global good,” he said.
The two-day event, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,” will serve as a platform to address key global challenges and unite BRICS nations. PM Modi stressed India’s strong commitment to the BRICS as an important forum for global dialogue and cooperation on key development issues.
PM Modi highlighted the bloc’s role in tackling global challenges such as climate change, economic integration and multilateralism. PM Modi also noted that the expansion of the BRICS to include new members has enhanced its unity and global order. He indicated that he expected in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics at the conference.
“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 said.
“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,” said PM Modi.
Modi is set to hold a series of bilateral meetings including with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa). It will be the first summit of the grouping after it was expanded at its summit in Johannesburg last year.