Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral engagements with leaders from Asia and Africa on the sidelines of the 18 th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday (September 13, 2026) emphasised defence and security cooperation, alongside trade, technology and strategic partnerships, as India sought to deepen its engagement with key partners across the Global South.
Mr. Modi held separate meetings with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of Burundi and chairperson of the African Union , Évariste Ndayishimiye. Defence and security also figured prominently in Mr. Modi’s discussions with Kazakhstan President Tokayev, with the two sides reviewing cooperation in these fields as well as in connectivity, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies. Kazakhstan remains an important Central Asian partner for India amid New Delhi’s efforts to expand strategic and security engagement with the region. The defence dimension of India’s engagement with Malaysia also received attention during BRICS-related diplomacy.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said exploratory discussions were underway on Kuala Lumpur acquiring the BrahMos missile system, though no final decision had been taken.
