New Delhi, September 13 (Udaipur Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in significant bilateral discussions with African leaders on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He met with the President of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustafa.
The meetings focused on strengthening ties in areas such as trade, investment, health, agriculture, defense, energy, and digital technology. Modi and Ndayishimiye highlighted the importance of India-Africa partnerships as a key pillar of cooperation among Global South nations. They reminisced about India’s role in incorporating the African Union into the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023 and discussed plans for the upcoming fourth India-Africa Forum Summit.
Modi praised the African Union’s leadership in successfully managing the Ebola outbreak, while Ndayishimiye commended India’s medical assistance in controlling the outbreak through the Africa CDC. The two leaders reviewed the warm and united relations between India and Burundi, discussing economic cooperation, development partnerships, agricultural modernization, healthcare, and capacity building.
In his meeting with President Ramaphosa, Modi assessed the progress of the India-South Africa strategic partnership. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the collaboration across various sectors and exchanged ideas on further strengthening their multifaceted strategic ties. They acknowledged the historical struggles, cultural connections, and deep interactions between their nations, agreeing to maintain close coordination on global issues of mutual interest.
Modi invited South Africa to consider joining the International Big Cat Alliance, referencing the successful relocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India. Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for Modi’s warm hospitality and thanked him for the successful organization of the BRICS Summit.
During his meeting with Vice President Shettima, who led the Nigerian delegation at the summit, discussions centered on reviewing various aspects of India-Nigeria relations. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress in trade, investment, defense, energy partnership, agriculture, health, and digital technology. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-Nigeria strategic partnership.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest, including the priorities and concerns of the Global South. They emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation on multilateral platforms to work towards a more representative, inclusive, and multipolar international order.
Modi reiterated India’s commitment to deepening partnerships with Nigeria and enhancing its engagement with Africa, while Shettima appreciated India’s developmental experiences and contributions to capacity building and economic growth in Nigeria. The meetings underscored a shared commitment to building a strong, future-oriented partnership between India and African nations, contributing to peace, prosperity, and development in the broader Global South.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.