Kazan, Russia – Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, recently, focusing on global issues like economic cooperation, peace and security, climate change, and terrorism. The summit, chaired by Russia, saw PM Modi engage in significant bilateral meetings and contribute to key discussions.

Addressing the Ukraine crisis, PM Modi emphasized peaceful resolutions and repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian Army. He also invited President Putin to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

In a first official engagement since Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's election, India and Iran discussed regional stability, economic cooperation, and the significance of the Chabahar Port for trade links with Central Asia.

PM Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping marked their first formal interaction in five years, following border tensions. The meeting, held after an agreement to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), suggests a potential thaw in relations.

During the summit, PM Modi stressed the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, citing India's readiness to cooperate in resolving the Ukraine crisis and advocating for diplomacy in regions like West Asia. He also called for collaborative efforts to combat climate change, highlighting initiatives like India's Mission LiFE and the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre.

Condemning terrorism, PM Modi urged a unified approach without double standards, emphasizing the need to address youth radicalization and strengthen international regulations on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He also discussed enhancing economic ties through trade facilitation, agriculture, and e-commerce, welcoming the proposed BRICS investment platform for supporting the Global South.

The summit concluded with several significant outcomes, including the Kazan Declaration, which firmly condemned terrorism and asserted its non-association with any religion, nationality, or ethnicity. The summit also saw the approval of a new BRICS investment platform proposed by President Putin, aimed at fostering a low-emission economy and providing financial support to the Global South.

Furthermore, BRICS decided to expand its membership, welcoming six new countries, including Argentina and Saudi Arabia. The summit also saw discussions on advocating for global financial reforms, improving financial inclusion for the Global South, and fostering relationships with other Global South nations beyond BRICS.