BRICS Summit 2024 LIVE UPDATES: PM Modi, President Putin hold bilateral meeting in Kazan | WATCH

BRICS Summit: What Putin says during bilateral meeting with PM Modi | WATCH

BRICS Summit: PM Modi-Putin bilateral meeting in Kazan | WATCH

During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, PM Narendra Modi says, "I express my heartfelt gratitude for your friendship, warm welcome and hospitality. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to visit a beautiful city like Kazan for the BRICS Summit. India has deep and historical ties with this city. The opening of India's new embassy in Kazan will further strengthen these ties."

China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi and other global leaders arrived Tuesday in the Russian city of Kazan for a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies that the Kremlin hopes to turn into a rallying point for defying the Western liberal order. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the three-day meeting also offers a powerful way to demonstrate the failure of US-led efforts to isolate Russia over its action in Ukraine. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov touted the summit as “the largest foreign policy event ever held” by Russia, with 36 countries attending and more than 20 of them represented by heads of state.

The alliance that initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has expanded rapidly to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed an interest in joining.
Observers see the BRICS summit as part of the Kremlin's efforts to showcase support from the Global South amid spiralling tensions with the West and help expand economic and financial ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcoming ceremony at Kazan Airport upon his arrival to participate in the BRICS summit.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry blasted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday for what it said was his acceptance of an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to a BRICS summit, while staying away from a "peace summit" on the war in Ukraine. "The UN Secretary General declined Ukraine's invitation to the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland," the ministry said in a post on the X social media platform.

"He did, however, accept the invitation to Kazan from war criminal Putin. This is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the U.N.'s reputation."

Putin hosts a summit of BRICS nations in the central Russian city of Kazan from Tuesday, aimed at showcasing the clout of non-Western countries. Leaders attending include Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BRICS Summit: More photos from PM Modi's landing at Kazan Airport

BRICS Summit: PM Modi gets grand welcome at Kazan Airport

In a heartwarming display of cultural exchange, Russian nationals welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a soulful rendition of a Krishna bhajan during his visit to Kazan on Saturday.  The bhajan, a devotional song dedicated to Lord Krishna, captivated attendees, highlighting the shared appreciation for spirituality and cultural heritage between the two nations. Modi expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the significance of such gestures in fostering international relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnesses a dance performance by the artists of the Russian community at Hotel Korston in Kazan. He is here to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, being held under the Chairmanship of Russia. The Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS member countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets and interacts with members of the Indian diaspora as he arrives at Hotel Korston in Kazan, Russia. He is here to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, being held under the Chairmanship of Russia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the BRICS Summit in Kazan

A view shows a plane carrying Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kazan Airport ahead of the BRICS summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a welcoming ceremony at Kazan Airport upon his arrival to participate in the BRICS summit

PM Modi attends a welcoming ceremony at Kazan Airport upon his arrival to participate in the BRICS summit

Narendra Modi arrives for the BRICS Summit in Kazan

BRICS Summit: Stage set for mega event in Kazan | WATCH 

Students from India studying in Russia sing a welcome song as they await PM Modi's arrival at Hotel Korston, in Kazan. PM Narendra Modi is in Russia to attend the 16th BRICS summit (overall) and the first summit after the group expanded last year. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS member countries.

China on Tuesday confirmed that it has reached an agreement with India to end the standoff between the two armies in eastern Ladakh. “Over a recent period, China and India have been in close communication through diplomatic and military channels on issues related to the China-India border,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing. “Now the two sides have reached a resolution on the relevant matters which China speaks highly of,” he said. Going forward China will work with India to implement these resolutions, he said. He, however, declined to provide details.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India plays a vital role in BRICS, bringing significant value, particularly in sectors such as economic growth, sustainable development, and global governance reforms. The remarks by Misri came while addressing a media briefing on PM Modi's upcoming Russia visit for the 16th BRICS summit. Addressing the briefing, Misri said, "The PM will be departing for Kazan tomorrow to attend the 16th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The theme of this edition of BRICS is Strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security." He added, "As you know, India is a founding member of BRICS and has participated in all of its activities, initiatives and engagements since its inception. India brings great value to BRICS and its contributions have played a vital role in shaping BRICS efforts in areas such as economic growth, sustainable development and global governance reforms."

PM Modi lands at Kazan airport, bilateral with Putin next

PM Modi is set to hold a series of bilateral meetings including with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa). It will be the first summit of the grouping after it was expanded at its summit in Johannesburg last year. "India values the close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation, building resilient supply chains, promoting cultural and people to people connect, among others," Modi said in his departure statement.

India values close cooperation within BRICS which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on a range of key issues concerning global developmental agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Modi made comments in a statement before embarking on a two-day visit to the Russian city of Kazan to attend the 16th summit of the BRICS grouping.