BRICS Summit Day 2 PM Modis Bilateral Meeting with SAfrican President Cyril Ramaphosa - On August 23rd, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to engage in a one-on-one discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the second day of the 15th BRICS Summit. Later in the same day, the prime minister's agenda includes participation in both open and closed plenary sessions in Johannesburg.

Following these plenaries, an enriching cultural performance will take place, followed by a banquet dinner hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inaugural day of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg commenced with the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue.

During his address at this dialogue, PM Modi confidently stated that India is on the trajectory to becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy and in the upcoming years, it will stand as a driving force for global growth. Despite the prevailing global economic challenges, Modi highlighted India's remarkable position as the fastest-growing major economy.

Delivering a significant message to the dialogue participants, PM Modi emphasized that cultivating mutual trust and transparency can yield substantial positive outcomes, particularly within the Global South context.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa underscored that due to its urbanized population and potential to offer a stable workforce in the future, BRICS nations have a unique opportunity to actively contribute to Africa's growth narrative. He acknowledged, "Africa boasts a youthful, digitally connected, and urbanizing population that serves as a dependable workforce for future companies. Our investments in skill development are on a continuous upward trajectory."

Promptly following the Business Forum, PM Modi graced the Summer Place in Johannesburg for the BRICS Leaders Retreat, where the assembled leaders deliberate over global developments and strategize on harnessing the potential of the BRICS platform to effectively address and resolve worldwide challenges.

Among those in attendance were Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Arriving in South Africa on Tuesday, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Waterkloof Air Force Base. His arrival was accompanied by a spirited reception from the Indian diaspora, resonating with chants of 'Vande Mataram'. The Indian community eagerly awaited PM Modi's presence, celebrating his arrival with traditional 'dhols' outside the Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg.

Women from the Indian diaspora extended a warm welcome by tying 'Rakhi' on PM Modi's wrist. The prime minister also took the opportunity to inspect a model of the Swaminarayan Temple in Johannesburg. Upon its anticipated completion in 2025, this under-construction temple will stand as the largest Hindu temple in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere.

This visit marks PM Modi's third to South Africa and coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa. Originally conceptualized as BRIC by visionary economist Jim O’Neill from Goldman Sachs in 2001, the bloc expanded to include South Africa in 2010, leading to the alteration of the acronym to BRICS.

BRICS stands as a beacon of economic optimism, presenting an alternative global order to counterbalance the dominance of conventional institutions.

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