BRICS Summit: Modi, Kazakhstan President Tokayev discuss EAEU FTA, critical minerals and emerging technologies

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi and discussed expanding partnership in the areas of critical minerals and emerging technologies.

India's proposed free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was also discussed. As the current chair of EAEU, Kazakhstan is advancing work towards an FTA with India, Tokayev informed Modi.

EAEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Russia. India and the grouping signed the terms of reference for the proposed FTA in Moscow in August 2025. Kazakhstan is a BRICS partner country.


Modi also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In a post on social media, the PM said the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including key regional developments and the steadily growing friendship. Egypt is a key pillar of the Arab world and did not join the Mecca Pact despite being encouraged by Turkey and Pakistan.

The PM also met the Indonesian President, two months after his trip to Jakarta that elevated their ties. "Lovely catching up with President Prabowo Subianto... His warmth, positivity and spirit of optimism are always endearing. India and Indonesia will keep strengthening their partnership across a wide range of sectors," the PM wrote on social media.

Modi also met Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and reviewed the progress achieved in diverse areas of cooperation and exchanged views on the multi-faceted strategic partnership between India and South Africa.

The two leaders exchanged views on a range of global issues and agreed to maintain close coordination in multilateral fora. In the context of the successful translocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India, the prime minister invited South Africa to consider joining the International Big Cat Alliance.