In Brazil, Modi called on the BRICS countries to “lead by example” to all countries in the Global South and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the group. At the invitation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Modi also visited Namibia.
Brazil (July 6-8)
The BRICS Summit was held under the slogan “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”. Modi actively took part in discussions on the three main areas of BRICS activity – politics and security, economics and finance, cultural and humanitarian affairs – and outlined New Delhi’s position on topical global and regional issues with a focus on the fight against international terrorism. At the same time, he focused on the recent terrorist attack by extremists in the Indian part of Kashmir. India achieved the inclusion of these condemnations into the summit’s final declaration. At the same time, the leaders of the association expressed their full support for India’s upcoming BRICS presidency in 2026. Modi invited all the participants to take part in the summit of this important international organization, which advocates the promotion of a more just, democratic and multipolar world order.
“As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS, a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equal, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order,” Modi wrote on social media.
A joint economic forum coincided with Modi’s bilateral visit. It, as well as the bilateral negotiations, focused on the expansion of trade, economic and investment ties. Brazil is India’s largest trade partner in South America, with more than $12 billion in bilateral trade and more than $3 billion in mutual investments. It was agreed to expand the range of goods supplied, which will lead to a significant increase in trade, investment and various projects.
The successful mechanisms of bilateral cooperation, such as the joint commission of foreign ministers, the strategic dialogue between national security advisers, as well as military and political meetings in the 2+2 format, were noted with satisfaction. Brazil is increasingly interested in military-industrial cooperation with India, particularly the joint production of weapons, the acquisition of Indian naval vessels, Akash surface-to-air missile systems, artillery guns, coastal surveillance systems and other products of the Indian military-industrial complex. Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed to expand their strategic partnership in the fields of trade, defence, energy, science and technology, space, agriculture, healthcare, education and culture.
The leaders set a goal to increase the volume of bilateral trade to $20 billion (currently at $13 billion). As a result of the visit, six agreements were signed in the above-mentioned areas of bilateral cooperation, as well as a number of memoranda, including on the exchange of classified information and their mutual protection, on cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources, the exchange of large-scale solutions for digital transformation, artificial intelligence and supercomputers. During the talks, special attention was paid to the joint fight against international terrorism and transnational organised crime. In this regard, a corresponding act was signed. The leaders also touched upon the issue of expanding the permanent membership of the UN Security Council and confirmed mutual support for each other’s applications. At the end of the visit, Modi was awarded Brazil’s highest state – the Grand Chain of the National Order of the Southern Cross.
As per tradition, Modi met with the Indian diaspora in Brazil (around 4,000 people) during his visit to the country.
In sum, the parties were satisfied with the outcome of the visit and underlined their firm commitment to strengthening strategic partnership, including in the interests of the Global South.
Namibia (July 9)
The final stop on Namibia’s multi-day foreign tour was Namibia, which Indian prime ministers had not visited for 27 years. New Delhi has long been interested in the country’s rich mining industry, primarily in the extraction and processing of diamonds and other precious stones, as well as the import of mineral resources such as cobalt, lithium and uranium. Indian companies are investing heavily in the development of these mining industries, primarily in diamond and uranium mining (Namibia ranks third in the world in terms of uranium production). A joint commission has been established and is actively working in this direction.
The volume of mutual trade ($600 million) does not suit both sides, and therefore issues of increasing trade and economic cooperation were at the center of the talks between N. Modi and the country’s president, Netumba Nandi-Ndaitwah, the daughter of Namibia’s founding father, Sam Nujoma. The leaders’ approval of the new roadmap for interaction and the agreement to implement a single payment system in India’s trade relations with many partners will serve to achieve this goal.
Following the visit, a number of agreements were signed, including in the fields of healthcare and medicine, education, defense, digital technologies, biofuel production, agriculture, and the extraction of essential minerals.
And in Namibia, the Indian Prime Minister was awarded the country’s highest state order and his speech in parliament was organised. Again, as at other points in his tour, N. Modi met with representatives of the Indian diaspora.
Overall, the unprecedented trip of the head of the Indian government to five countries in Africa and South America was successful and productive, accompanied by intense negotiations and the signing of numerous bilateral agreements. These visits once again confirmed the significant economic and political role of the Indian state in African and Latin American affairs, and contributed to strengthening its influence, position, and authority there.
Anvar Azimov, diplomat and political scientist, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, PhD in History, Senior Researcher at the Eurasian Educational Institute of MGIMO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
