Last updated: August 22, 2023 |
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10:18 p.m. |
@Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will be the engine of global growth in the coming years. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa this evening, the Prime Minister said that despite the economic turmoil in the global economy, India today remains the largest economy to the fastest growing in the world. He expressed confidence that India will soon become a five trillion dollar economy.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in South Africa today to attend the 15th BRICS Summit. Upon his arrival, Mr. Modi was solemnly welcomed at the airport. Prime Minister Modi was received by South African Vice President Paul Mashatile. After receiving a grand welcome, Prime Minister Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora gathered to welcome him.
The theme of the BRICS Summit is BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism. The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS represent more than 42% of the world’s population, 23% of world GDP and 18% of world trade.
During the three-day summit which ends on Thursday, deliberations will be held to forge partnerships to effectively address the climate change situation, strengthen mechanisms for knowledge creation and exchange, boost trade, investments and infrastructure development between BRICS and African countries, achieve the set objectives. sustainable development agenda for 2030 and strengthening multilateralism.
Prime Minister Modi will also participate in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue event to be held as part of the BRICS Summit activities in Johannesburg.
Earlier, in his parting statement, Mr. Modi said the summit would provide a useful opportunity for the group to identify future areas of cooperation and review institutional development. Mr. Modi said, “India appreciates that BRICS has become a platform for discussion and deliberation on issues of concern to the entire South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system. The Prime Minister said he was also looking forward to holding bilateral meetings with some of the leaders.
From South Africa, the Prime Minister will travel to Athens, the Greek capital, at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mr Modi said this would be his first visit to this ancient land.
