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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday held a series of bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including presidents of Iran, Senegal and Mozambique, on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg and discussed with them issues of mutual interests and ways to expand bilateral cooperation in several areas.
Modi held a "productive meeting" with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali on a day when BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders officially endorsed Ethiopia's entry into the bloc.
"Held fruitful talks with PM @AbiyAhmedAli. Congratulated him on Ethiopia joining BRICS. We discussed ways to boost ties in sectors like trade, defence and people to people relations," Modi said in a post on platform X, formerly Twitter.
The two leaders discussed ways to deepen the bilateral ties between both the countries, his office said, adding that Prime Minister Modi welcomed Ethiopia as a new member of the BRICS family.
Earlier, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the two leaders held a "productive meeting."
"PM congratulated PM @AbiyAhmedAli on Ethiopia's membership of BRICS. PM @AbiyAhmedAli appreciated India's support for Ethiopia to join the BRICS family," Bagchi said in a post on platform X.
Prime Minister Ali felicitated Prime Minister Modi on the success of Chandrayaan mission, terming it as a moment of pride and inspiration for Ethiopia and the Global South, Bagchi said.
"Discussions covered ways to expand bilateral cooperation in areas like parliamentary contacts, development partnership & capacity building, trade & investment, defence, ICT, agriculture, skilling of youth and people-to-people linkages," he added in another post.
Prime Minister Modi held wide-ranging talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during which the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties including in areas of trade & investment, energy, connectivity, counter-terrorism and Afghanistan.
"Had a wonderful meeting with President Ebrahim Raisi. I am glad that Iran will be joining BRICS. Discussed ways to deepen trade and cultural cooperation between India and Iran," Modi posted on platform X.
MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said the the prime minister felicitated Iran on joining the BRICS family.
"PM felicitated Iran on joining the BRICS family. President Raisi thanked PM for India's support in achieving this outcome. President Raisi also congratulated PM on the success of Chandrayaan mission," Bagchi said.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties including in areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity, and counter-terrorism.
"They agreed to fast track infrastructure cooperation, including Chabahar project. They also exchanged views on regional developments, including Afghanistan," he said.
The leaders of the BRICS on Thursday decided to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the new members of the grouping, sealing a long-drawn process.
The decision was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at a joint media briefing along with Prime Minister Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The new members will become part of BRICS with effect from January 1, 2024.
Prime Minister Modi also met Senegal President Macky Sall and discussed sectors like energy, infrastructure, defence and more in our meeting.
"Held talks with President @Macky_Sall in Johannesburg. India considers Senegal to be a valued developmental partner. We discussed sectors like energy, infrastructure, defence and more in our meeting," Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister's office said that the two leaders held a fruitful meeting during which they deliberated on various aspects of strengthening bilateral ties such as defence and security, and infrastructure development.
The MEA spokesperson noted that the two leaders held a "fruitful meeting" during which President Sall congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the success of Chandrayaan mission, and said that it is an inspiration for the Global South. "He (Sall) appreciated PM's leadership in advocating priorities of the developing world," Bagchi added.
"President @Macky_Sall thanked PM for India's efforts for AU's permanent membership of the G20. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like trade & investment, defence & security, energy, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, railways, capacity building, culture and people to people ties," the spokesperson said in a post on X.
Modi, who arrived in South Africa on Tuesday on a three-day official visit during which he attended the 15th BRICS summit, also held bilateral talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and discussed ways to diversify India-Mozambique cooperation across various sectors for the benefit of the people of the two nations.
"PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with President Filipe Nyusi...The two leaders agreed to further cooperation between both the countries in sectors such as defence, counter terrorism, trade and people-to-people ties," his office said.
"Reaching out to a key partner across the Indian Ocean. PM @narendramodi met President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. President Nyusi congratulated PM on the success of the Chandrayaan mission. President Nyusi also appreciated India's initiative for G20 permanent membership of AU," Bagchi posted on X.
He said the two leaders discussed ways to take forward cooperation on a broad range of areas including parliamentary contacts, defence, counter terrorism, energy, mining, health, trade and investment, capacity building, maritime cooperation and people to people relations.
On Wednesday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with South African President Ramaphosa during which they reviewed the progress made in bilateral ties, exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues and also on ways to work jointly to strengthen the voice of the Global South.