New Delhi is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping and partner countries.
The main leaders’ programme will begin on Saturday, September 12, with the heads of the 11 BRICS member countries. Leaders from partner countries and outreach invitees will join the summit programme on Sunday, September 13. The 11 full members of BRICS are Brazil , Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he will attend the summit. India is chairing BRICS this year. The summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam and will focus on issues including multilateralism, trade, investment, energy and food security, supply chains and global governance.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and external affairs minister S Jaishankar are expected to address the opening session. The discussions will cover agriculture, trade, investment, supply chains and the digital economy. The meetings will later lead into a leaders’ session, which is expected to be addressed by Modi. A large Chinese business delegation is visiting India ahead of the BRICS Summit.
