New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first foray into international diplomacy when he leaves Sunday for the sixth summit of BRICS countries July 15-16, with the meeting expected to discuss creation of development bank and reforms of the UN Security Council.
It will also provide the first occasion for Modi, who took office May 26, to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin as also leaders of Brazil and South Africa.
The visit will be Modi's first participation in an international meeting as the prime minister. He will have bilateral meetings during his visit and also meet leaders of other South American countries along with other BRICS leaders.
The leaders of South American countries have been invited by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to meet the BRICS leaders.
The summit will be held in Brazilian cities of Fortaleza and Brasilia.
Officials have said that India will pursue the issue of UN Security Council reforms "in discussions in whatever form".
The officials said Modi would be accompanied by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (independent charge) Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Modi will make a transit halt in Germany.
The officials said that the transit halt will be Berlin on way to Brazil and Frankfurt on his way back.
However, the much talked-about meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not take place as she is travelling to Brazil to watch the FIFA World Cup final Sunday between her country and Argentina.
