Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to engage in 15 bilateral discussions with leaders from BRICS and associated nations from September 11 to 13, as India hosts the summit in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has provided a detailed agenda outlining these crucial meetings, including discussions with prominent leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The first meeting, set for September 11 at 3.30 pm, will see PM Modi meet President Putin at Bharat Mandapam. This meeting is particularly pertinent given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its implications for international relations, especially regarding energy and defence ties between India and Russia, which have historically been significant.

Additionally, Modi’s agenda includes a meeting with President Pezeshkian at 6.15 pm. The backdrop of this conversation involves the ongoing Iran war and the critical transit routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, essential for global energy supplies. New Delhi views Tehran as a vital partner not only for regional security but also for its infrastructural initiatives, such as the Chabahar Port, aimed at enhancing connectivity with Central Asia.

PM Modi will conclude his September 11 discussions with a meeting at 6.45 pm with Antonio Guterres, highlighting the involvement of global institutions in addressing pressing international issues during the summit.

September 12: Focus on Southeast Asia and China

The bilateral meetings will continue on September 12, commencing with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at 10 am, followed closely by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at 10.30 am. The discussions with these leaders are expected to centre on enhancing trade ties and addressing regional challenges.

At 11 am, PM Modi will meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a meeting underscored by the intricate geopolitical landscape in West Asia, where India’s interests intersect with those of both Iran and the Gulf states. Following that, he will engage with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung at 11.30 am.

The most anticipated meeting of the day is scheduled for 5.45 pm, where PM Modi will sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This discussion is significant given that recent efforts have been made to de-escalate tensions following the 2020 Galwan clash. The presence of Xi at the summit represents a vital opportunity for both nations to further dialogue, notwithstanding their ongoing strategic differences.

September 13: Diverse Bilateral Engagements

On September 13, PM Modi will continue his series of bilateral meetings, which includes encounters with seven world leaders. His first meeting of the day is with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at 2.30 pm, followed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at 3 pm.

At 3.30 pm, he will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, followed by discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at 4.10 pm. The lineup also features Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye at 4.40 pm, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima at 5.10 pm, and concluding with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo at 5.40 pm. All these meetings will be conducted at Bharat Mandapam.

This comprehensive schedule of 15 meetings offers India a platform to leverage the BRICS summit for meaningful bilateral diplomacy. The focus on significant geopolitical issues during talks with leaders such as Putin, Pezeshkian, and Xi underscores the importance of this international gathering in shaping India’s diplomatic landscape.

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