PM in Russia: Narendra Modi reaches Kazan to attend BRICS Summit

Describing the Summit as 'important', Modi posted on X: " Landed in Kazan for the BRICS Summit. This is an important Summit, and the discussions here will contribute to a better planet."

After his plane landed in Kazan International Airport, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with soldiers lined on both sides of the tarmac as he alighted from the plane. Russian officials welcomed him warmly, and so did women in traditional costumes. The Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar was also present, according to a video shared by Sputnik as quoted by UNI.

Modi will be in Russia on October 22 and 23.

This is the Prime Minister's 11th visit to the BRICS Summit. The last BRICS Summit he had attended was in South Africa in 2023.

Earlier leaving for Russia, Modi posted on X, "Leaving for Kazan, Russia, to take part in the BRICS Summit. India attaches immense importance to BRICS, and I look forward to extensive discussions on a wide range of subjects. I also look forward to meeting various leaders there."

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi is expected to meet several world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping at a time the two Asian giants arrived at an agreement over patrolling and resolution of the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Speaking on the agreement, Vikram Misry, the foreign secretary of India, said as quoted by The Hindu, "Over the last several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact with each other in a variety of forums, and as a result of these discussions, agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020."

The summit engages leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as well as Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE.

Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE were invited as the members of the group effective from January 1, 2024.

Though Argentina was also invited to join the camp, the country's new president Javier Milei opted out of it after taking office in December 2023.