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Oct 18, 2024 3:48 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh with files from The Canadian Press and international agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Russia on October 22–23 to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. The summit will bring together leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with discussions expected to focus on global trade, energy security, and geopolitical cooperation.
The visit will mark Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019, and officials say he is likely to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the event. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the two leaders are expected to review defence, energy, and trade ties, which remain a key part of India–Russia relations despite ongoing global tensions.
The summit is also expected to draw attention for a possible encounter between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, after China’s foreign ministry confirmed Xi’s attendance. The two leaders have not held formal bilateral talks since the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh.
Analysts say the BRICS gathering could offer an opportunity for regional diplomacy and dialogue, particularly as the bloc continues to push for greater representation of developing economies in global decision-making forums.
For Canada-based observers, including South Asian policy experts in Surrey and Brampton, Modi’s visit is being closely watched for its strategic implications amid shifting global alliances and India’s balancing act between Western partners and traditional allies like Russia.
