Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kazan, Russia to attend the 16th BRICS Summit and was welcomed by Rustam Minnikhanov. On the sidelines, Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi also congratulated Russia on its successful BRICS presidency, stating that many countries are now interested in joining the grouping. The annual summit in July strengthened cooperation in various fields between India and Russia.
BRICS: Russia's Pivotal Role in Global Cooperation
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group has emerged as a significant platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, has played a pivotal role in shaping the BRICS agenda and fostering closer ties among member states.
Background
The BRICS concept was first proposed in 2001, and the first formal summit was held in 2009. Since then, the group has expanded its membership and broadened its mandate to encompass a wide range of economic, political, and security issues.
Russia's role in BRICS is particularly important due to its size, military strength, and geopolitical influence. Putin has been a strong advocate for closer integration among BRICS countries, viewing it as a counterweight to Western dominance in international affairs.
BRICS Cooperation
BRICS member states collaborate in various areas, including trade, investment, energy, and technology. They have established a New Development Bank, a Contingency Reserve Arrangement, and a BRICS Business Council to facilitate economic cooperation.
In 2022, Russia hosted the 16th BRICS Summit in Moscow. During the summit, member states discussed issues such as the global economic recovery, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine. Putin emphasized the importance of BRICS cooperation amidst global uncertainties and challenges.
India-Russia Bilateral Talks
On the sidelines of the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with President Putin. They discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and expressed concern about its humanitarian consequences. Modi also congratulated Russia on its successful BRICS presidency and highlighted the growing interest in BRICS membership.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Putin hailed the growing cooperation between the two countries as a stabilising factor for the world, while Xi highlighted their strong relationship and the need for a just world order. Both leaders emphasized the non-alliance and non-confrontational approach to their relationship, which they say is a model for neighboring major countries. This is a developing story and more details will be released.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit 2024 has kicked off with several bilateral summits discussing key issues such as India-Russia ties, the war in Ukraine, and conflicts with Iran and Israel. The summit, with the theme of 'Strengthening Multilateralism,' will see discussions on global issues and includes new member nations - Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. As major emerging economies, the BRICS group comprises 41% of the world population and 24% of the world GDP, making it an important platform for discussions on global development and security.
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After months of tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has confirmed a patrolling agreement has been reached between the two countries. The goal is to return military ties between the two nations to pre-April 2020 levels. However, the Army Chief also pointed out the need for rebuilding trust between the two forces in order to successfully restore the status quo. This confirmation comes days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced a patrolling agreement and ongoing efforts to resolve the tension that began in May 2020.
In a move to enhance its sea-based nuclear deterrence and counter the growing naval presence of China in the Indian Ocean region, India has quietly launched its fourth nuclear-powered submarine, S4*. This development comes amid diplomatic tension with Canada and the recent inauguration of a low-cost naval base in Telangana. With its 75% indigenous components and range of 3,500 km, the S4* joins the INS Arihant and INS Arighat in boosting India's strategic command and control communication capabilities. Plans are also underway for the development of more advanced submarines to further solidify India's dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chief of the Indian Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is on a four-day official visit to the UAE, aiming to enhance and consolidate the bilateral maritime relations between the two countries. During his visit, he will meet with the Commander of the UAE Naval Forces and other government officials, as well as visit the National Defence College of UAE. This visit is in line with the growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. The two navies have a history of cooperative engagements, including joint exercises and visits under the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee.
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