Ramaphosa to advance Global South priorities and deepen intra-BRICS economic cooperation…repots Asian Lite News Desk
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host on September 12-13.
Ramaphosa was received at the airport by Union Minister of State Jayant Singh.
Welcoming the South African President, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on X that India and South Africa share “warm and historic ties” rooted in a strategic partnership, while reaffirming their commitment as BRICS partners to the Global South.
India, which holds the BRICS chairmanship in 2026, is hosting the summit in the national capital with leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees, expected to participate.
According to the MEA, the summit will provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss ways to strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation on shared priorities and exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.
Ahead of his visit, the South African President’s office said Pretoria would use the summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, particularly by boosting intra-BRICS trade and investment.
South Africa will also push for greater industrialisation and value addition, as well as efforts to mobilise investment in African infrastructure in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ramaphosa is also scheduled to attend the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, bringing together BRICS leaders and business representatives for discussions on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.
The South African chapters of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance will participate in the forum, with the aim of strengthening commercial ties and identifying opportunities to expand investment and economic cooperation.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said leaders from across the world would gather in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit and expressed confidence that the meeting would result in “positive and meaningful discussions” on issues concerning global welfare.
“Over the next few days, leaders from around the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. I am confident that the Summit will see positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the welfare of the world in mind,” Modi said in a post on X.
The summit comes as BRICS continues to expand its engagement with emerging economies and seeks to deepen cooperation among its members on economic, trade and other global priorities.
