BRICS Summit highlights: The summit will be held from August 22-24.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in South Africa this evening on an official visit during which he will attend the 15th BRICS summit and hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders.
BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
BRICS summit will be held from August 22-24. This will be PM Modi's third visit to South Africa and the trip marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between India and South Africa.
This year's BRICS is under the presidency of South Africa. The theme of this year's summit is: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism"
This will be the first in-person BRICS Summit after three consecutive years of virtual meetings owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here are the highlights on BRICS Summit:
PM Modi views model of Swaminarayan Temple in South AfricaPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday viewed a model of the under-construction Swaminarayan Temple here on Tuesday before taking part in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue.
The temple at North Riding, north of Johannesburg has been under construction since 2017 and is expected to be completed next year.
PM Modi viewed the model of the temple while participating in a community event ahead of the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue, the first official event of the 3-day summit of the five-member bloc.
It will be similar to one in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, which is built entirely of stone and will also include classrooms and a clinic.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was welcomed at the Waterkloof Airforce Base in Pretoria by members of the Pretoria Hindu Seva Samaj and the local chapter of the BAPS Swaminarayan organisation.
"UPI is being used everywhere in India. Most digital transactions happen in India," said PM Modi.
We have converted red tape into red carpet, said PM Modi
Indian community welcomes PM Modi with chants of 'Vande Mataram' at Johannesburg hotelPrime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora chanting 'Vande Mataram' as he arrived at Sandton Sun Hotel here on Tuesday.
Members of the Indian community were waiting for PM Modi's arrival to welcome him with 'dhols' outside Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the South African city of Johannesburg on Tuesday as he kickstarted the first leg of his two-nation visit.
"It is an honour indeed to be in the presence of the Prime Minister. He is a wonderful man and my hero," says a woman of Indian origin in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Which nations want too join BRICS and why?
Over 40 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan have expressed interest in joining the forum, according to 2023 summit chair South Africa.
They view BRICS as an alternative to global bodies viewed as dominated by the traditional Western powers and hope membership will unlock benefits including development finance, and increased trade and investment.
PM Modi receives traditional South African welcome in JohannesburgThe South African dancers recieved Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a traditional dance performance as he arrived in South Africa for attending the BRICS meeting on Tuesday.
After receiving a grand welcome, PM Modi walked towards the members of the Indian diaspora who converged to welcome him. The members of the Indian diaspora could be heard chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', and 'Vande Matram'
The Prime Minister was formally welcomed by Paul Shipokosa Mashatile, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa at the airport.
As soon as PM Modi arrived in the South African city of Johannesburg, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi posted a video on X (formerly called Twitter) giving a detailed view of broad elements of his 3-day visit to the nation.
He said, "Deputy President of South Africa received the PM on this arrival. A ceremonial guard of honour will be extended to the PM. PM has a packed schedule as he will be attending the BRICS business forum."
Who are BRICS members?
Brazil, Russia, India and China are the founding members.
South Africa, the smallest member in terms of economic clout and population, was the first beneficiary of an expansion of the bloc in 2010 when the grouping became known as BRICS.
Together the countries account for more than 40% of the world population and a quarter of the global economy.
Apart from geopolitics, the group's focus includes economic cooperation and increasing multilateral trade and development.
The bloc operates by consensus. All the BRICS countries are part of the Group of 20 (G20) of major economies.
What is BRICS?
The acronym BRIC, which did not initially include South Africa, was coined in 2001 by then Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill in a research paper that underlined the growth potential of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The bloc was founded as an informal club in 2009 to provide a platform for its members to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies.
Its creation was initiated by Russia.
The group is not a formal multilateral organisation like the United Nations, World Bank or the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The heads of state and government of the member nations convene annually with each nation taking up a one-year rotating chairmanship of the group.
BRICS summit of emerging economies to begin in South Africa BRICS leaders meet in South Africa on Tuesday as the loose association of major emerging economies seeks to assert its voice as a counterweight to Western dominance in global affairs.
The so-called BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- represent a quarter of the global economy, and interest in joining the club has surged ahead of its three-day summit in Johannesburg.
Security has been bolstered across the city where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host China's President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and some 50 other leaders.
Indian community members prepare 'Rakhi' thali to welcome PM Modi in South AfricaPrime Minister Narendra Modi is still our brother and these are 'Rakhis' of protection for him, said an Indian diaspora member who prepared a 'Rakhi' Thali to welcome the Prime Minister in South Africa.
Yashika Singh, the Indian community member who is also a media personnel of South African Broadcasting Corporation said that through the gesture of tying 'Rakhi' to Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival in Johannesburg, she, and the entire Indian community would like to remind him that "he is still our brother."
PM In South Africa For BRICS Summit, Buzz Over Possible Xi Jinping Meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in South Africa on Tuesday evening to take part in the BRICS summit that will be held over the next three days. There is still no confirmation on a possible bilateral meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.