PM Narendra Modi leaves for Brazil to attend BRICS summit

BERLIN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for Brazil to attend a summit meeting of the BRICS nations that will address regional crises and security threats to restore a climate of peace while advancing global economic stability.

Modi left Berlin this morning for Fortaleza, Brazil after an overnight stopover. Usually, Indian Prime Ministers transit through Frankfurt for further journeys across the Atlantic.

Berlin was preferred to Frankfurt for a transit halt on Germany's request for a possible bilateral meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel but she flew to Brazil to watch the FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.

In a departure statement in New Delhi, Modi said that India looks forward to the BRICS initiative for setting up the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

Modi is visiting Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to attend the Sixth BRICS Summit being held in Fortaleza and Brasilia on 15-16 July.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Adviser A K Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram.