Prime Minister Modi and Philippine President Marcos Focus on Strengthening Ties at Brics Summit
During a recent meeting at the Brics Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr discussed enhancing cooperation in various fields, including defense, security, trade, and investment.
As the current chair of ASEAN, the Philippines was well-placed to review the growing relationship with India. Both leaders acknowledged that shared concerns over China’s regional actions have led to a stronger strategic partnership between their countries.
The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in their collaboration and agreed to deepen their efforts in multiple areas such as defense, education, technology, tourism, and even space. According to a statement from the external affairs ministry, they emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections as well.
Modi also noted the need to strengthen cooperation on both regional and global issues, reasserting their commitment to enhance their partnership. Through social media, he highlighted the growing momentum of the India-Philippines strategic collaboration, focusing on areas like trade, technology, and space exploration.
In addition to his meeting with Marcos, Modi engaged with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss a range of cooperative efforts. They exchanged insights on global issues and vowed to collaborate more closely within multilateral organizations. Modi took to social media to announce their review of the India-South Africa strategic partnership, touching on topics such as infrastructure, digital technologies, and food security.
Furthermore, Modi held discussions with various leaders, including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo. These meetings centered around enhancing bilateral ties and addressing issues relevant to the Global South.
With President Tokayev, Modi discussed trade, defense, and energy partnerships, aiming to reinforce peace and stability in the region. In talks with Vice President Alupo, they focused on leveraging technology and investment to further strengthen India-Uganda relations.
Modi also met with Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha to review their country’s relationship, emphasizing areas like agriculture, health, and digital technology. They both recognized the importance of cooperating in international forums to pursue a more inclusive global order.
Lastly, during his meeting with President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, they highlighted the significance of the India-African Union partnership and planned for the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit. Modi praised the African Union for its efforts in fighting the Ebola outbreak, while Ndayishimiye expressed gratitude for India’s medical assistance in these efforts.
Overall, these discussions at the Brics Summit signal a strong commitment from India and its partners to strengthen ties and address pressing global challenges collaboratively.
