BRICS Summit 2023: PM Modi holds bilateral meeting PM Abiy Ahmed in South Africa

BRICS Summit 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in South Africa for a BRICS Summit 2023. The Prime Minister makes his third visit to South Africa. This tour also commemorates the 30th anniversary of India-South Africa diplomatic relations.

During his visit to South Africa, PM Modi held bilateral meeting with the Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed Ali in South Africa’s Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

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On meeting, both leaders exchanged handshake and had a brief conversation with each other. 

The meeting was held in the presence of envoys from both the countries. The meeting was conducted after PM Modi supported the name of Ethiopia for its inclusion in the BRICS grouping. 

Meanwhile, Official Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi also took to his official X handle and posted picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed Ali.

Notably, India and Ethiopia have very friendly relations for many decades. Last year, India and Ethiopia held the fourth foreign office consultations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where delegations from both sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, in last year's meeting, Both delegations reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations during the Foreign Office Consultations. Issues discussed included political engagements, trade & economic matters, development partnership projects, cultural and consular matters, cooperation in higher education, people-to-people contacts, etc. 

Major Expansion in BRICS 

At the Summit, BRICS group of nations on Thursday decided to include six new members- Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to join in January 2024. 

In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation.

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PM Modi also congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over the decision on their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation.

PM Modi said India has “historic ties” with all the new members of BRICS.