PM Modi to travel to South Africa for BRICS Summit putting all speculations to rest

Putting to rest all speculations, the PM on Thursday stated that he has accepted the invitation to participate at the BRICS Summit under South African Presidency and informed President Cyril Ramaphosa that he looked forward to his visit to Johannesburg to participate in the Summit.

Modi had a telephone conversation with Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa. The two leaders positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation, including in the context of the thirtieth anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations being celebrated in 2023, according to an official statement here.

“President Ramaphosa invited PM for the BRICS Summit being hosted by South Africa on August 22-24, 2023 and briefed him on the preparations for the same,” the statement added. They also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest.


ET has learnt that following NSA Ajit K Doval’s trip to South Africa and his meetings with other BRICS NSAs, the PM decided to visit Johannesburg to attend the Summit in person given the significance of the grouping to establish a multipolar world order and agenda for the group’s expansion.

Ramaphosa on Thursday conveyed his full support to India’s initiatives as part of its ongoing G-20 Presidency and said that he looked forward to visiting India to attend the G-20 Summit. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

The PM is also expected to meet some other South African leaders who have been invited by South Africa besides an official meeting with Ramaphosa.

ET had earlier reported that the government was brainstorming if the PM can attend the summit virtually amid the geo-political developments including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to skip the Summit following the ICC warrant against him. South Africa is an ICC signatory and it was decided that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would represent Russia at the Summit. Putin will be present virtually at the Summit.