UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India for the BRICS summit…reports Asian Lite News Desk
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India this week for the BRICS summit, according to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Dujarric said on Tuesday that although the visit had not been officially announced, he could confirm that Guterres would attend the BRICS summit and was expected to meet Modi.
“that he (the UN chief) will be there at the BRICS summit”.
“And I think you can expect him to meet with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,” he added.
The visit would mark Guterres’ second trip to India this year and his fifth visit to the country during his tenure as UN Secretary-General. He attended the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February.
The BRICS summit, which begins on September 12, is expected to bring together leaders from the group’s ten member countries. India is hosting the meeting as the current chair.
The summit comes against the backdrop of major international conflicts, including the Iran conflict and the war in Ukraine. The conflicts have had wider consequences for international cooperation, sustainable development and food security.
India has selected the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” for the summit. The theme covers areas that Guterres has also promoted during his time as UN chief.
The meeting is potentially significant for Guterres because his term as Secretary-General is entering its final four months. The BRICS summit could provide an opportunity for him to meet several major world leaders who are expected to attend the gathering.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the summit, alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Leaders of two Gulf countries, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, are also expected to be present.
The presence of the leaders comes at a time when international diplomacy is being shaped by conflicts and growing geopolitical tensions. The BRICS summit is therefore expected to provide an important setting for discussions involving major emerging economies and global political issues.
For Guterres, the gathering could be particularly important because Putin and Xi are expected to skip the annual high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly later this month. Their absence from that meeting could limit opportunities for the UN chief to hold direct discussions with them during the final months of his tenure.
The expected meeting with Modi would also continue Guterres’ engagement with India during his second visit this year. His attendance at the India-AI Impact Summit in February was his most recent visit to the country.
The UN Secretary-General’s participation in the BRICS summit comes as the organisation continues to face challenges linked to international conflicts and their wider effects. Food security and progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals have been affected by the broader global situation.
India’s role as BRICS chair places the country at the centre of the summit’s discussions. The gathering is expected to bring together leaders from member states to discuss resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
While the UN has not formally announced Guterres’ India visit, his spokesperson’s comments indicate that he is expected to attend the BRICS summit and meet Modi.
The summit could consequently offer one of the final opportunities during Guterres’ tenure for direct engagement with several leaders whose countries play significant roles in current international affairs.
