The BRICS Business Forum has been opened in New Delhi before the 18th BRICS Summit with the purpose of discussing with the business community and the heads of Member States to further deepen economic cooperation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the first session and said enhanced economic activity and economic security within BRICS might bring an element of growth towards increased self-reliance for the members. He noted that the need of the hour was improved business relationships, multi-stakeholder commercial engagements and strengthened supply chains.
The shared goal must be to facilitate companies in all BRICS countries with becoming easier to pick partners, access new markets and link up supply chains, Jaishankar said. He also emphasized the importance of continuing to enhance economic interactions among member states, in light of evolving global trade environments.
Several heads of government and senior delegations will come to stay in the national capital for the main BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13 in New Delhi.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin came to India for a three-day visit. He is expected to attend the summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where bilateral talks will be held on various areas such as trade, investment cooperation, energy cooperation among others.
Putin’s entourage comprises a high-ranking delegation. His visit is his first in-person appearance at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February, 2022.
The visit of Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, who came to India on Lula da Silva’s behalf as the President is in Brazil for a presidential campaign, has also coincided.
Other major leaders in attendance are the three Sri Lankan Union men who will head the Quadrilateral: the President of the United States, the President of China, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.