During the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with global leaders and dignitaries to reinforce India’s commitment to international cooperation, trade, and people-centric progress.
Sharing updates on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote,
“Productive interaction with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank and former President of Brazil.”
PM Modi also met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, where discussions centred around expanding bilateral cooperation and deepening diplomatic ties. He said,
“Delighted to have met President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile during the Rio BRICS Summit. India-Chile friendship is getting stronger and stronger!”
Another significant interaction took place with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The Prime Minister posted,
“Interacted with Mr. Antonio Guterres, @UN Secretary General, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.”
Strengthening Ties with Uruguay and MERCOSUR
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Uruguay President Yamandu Orsi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted discussions around strengthening economic and technological collaboration between the two nations.
“They reviewed cooperation in the areas of digital collaboration, ICT, Digital Public Infrastructure and UPI, defence, railways, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, culture and people-to-people linkages,” the MEA said in a statement.
The leaders also discussed the expansion of the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, aiming to enhance trade opportunities and tap into new economic potential.
“A key area of discussion was strengthening bilateral trade and investment. Both sides expressed interest in the expansion of the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, aiming to unlock greater economic potential and trade complementarities,” it added.
India’s Vision for BRICS Chairmanship
Addressing a session titled ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’, PM Modi articulated India’s goals under its upcoming BRICS Chairmanship in 2025.
“Under India’s BRICS Chairmanship, we will define BRICS in a new form. BRICS would mean ‘Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability’.”
He further pledged to focus on people-centric progress, aligning with global sustainability and resilience efforts.
Global Diplomatic Tour
PM Modi arrived in Brazil after concluding his visit to Argentina, where he held bilateral talks with President Javier Milei. His ongoing five-nation tour began in Ghana, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil, and will conclude in Namibia on July 9, where he is scheduled to address the Namibian Parliament.
This strategic outreach underlines India’s deepening engagement with Latin America and Africa, furthering South-South cooperation and strengthening multilateral alliances through forums like BRICS, MERCOSUR, and the United Nations.