Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, August 24: At the 15th BRICS Summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India welcomed the expansion of the association of major international economies. After South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the admission of six new member states, PM Modi expressed his support.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, said earlier today that the BRICS organization would be inviting six countries to join as full members. In addition to Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa, these nations include Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We’ve reached an agreement to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE to become full members of BRICS. The membership will come into effect from January 2024,” the South African President said.
“I am glad that in this 3-day meeting, a lot of positive results have come out. India has always supported the expansion of members of BRICS,” PM Modi said at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
“I am happy that our teams have together agreed on guiding principles, standards, criteria, procedures for expansion of BRICS,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that India was eager to embrace new members as “partners” in the alliance while speaking at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. He claimed that the grouping’s expansion was a sign of the “changing times” and the global order.
“Expansion and modernisation of BRICS is an indication that institutions of the world must get accustomed to changing times,” PM Modi said.
“In 2016, during India’s chairmanship, we defined BRICS as Building Responsive, Inclusive, and Collective Solutions. After seven years, we can say that BRICS will be – Breaking barriers, Revitalizing economies, Inspiring Innovation, Creating opportunities, and Shaping the future. Together with all the BRICS partners, we will continue to contribute actively in making this new definition meaningful,” he said.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping were seen engaging in a brief conversation.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with the Premier of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, in Johannesburg.
Both of the leaders could be seen shaking hands and exchanging quick words with one another.
Ethiopia and India have had excellent connections for many decades. The fourth Foreign Office Consultations between India and Ethiopia were held last year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Delegations from both countries reviewed their bilateral relations and discussed topics of significance.
Apart from this President Macky Sall of Senegal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met separately on the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
