BRICS, India-Russia summits set to kick off in Goa today

Panaji (Goa) [India], Oct. 15 (ANI): The Eighth BRICS Summit and the 17th India-Russia Annual Summit will kick off in Goa on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday evening to participate in the India-Russia Summit, BRICS Summit and first-ever BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. At the 17th India-Russia Bilateral Summit, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin. Delivery of advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to New Delhi and counterterrorism will be high on their agenda. Besides, both nations are set to sign several agreements to give a fillip to their defence and nuclear cooperation. Apart from these, energy, infrastructure, railways, agriculture, hi-tech among others will also dominate the agenda. Agreements to build frigates for the Indian Navy and a joint venture in India to build multi-task Kamov-226 helicopters are also likely to be signed. Apart from the bilateral summit, India will host world leaders for the eighth BRICS Summit and a first-ever BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Prime Minister Modi in his tweets said the outreach with BIMSTEC leaders is significant. The Prime Minister hoped to tap the huge potential for cooperation and the dividends this will bring. He expressed happiness that India is facilitating an outreach Summit with BIMSTEC leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He looked forward to deliberations with leaders of China and South Africa, which will strengthen India's bilateral relations with its partners. The Prime Minister also welcomed President of Brazil Michel Temer for a bilateral visit, which will open new vistas of cooperation with Brazil. He tweeted that India is honoured to welcome President of Russia Vladimir Putin for the India-Russia Annual Summit in Goa. He emphasised that as BRICS chair this year, India embraces a stronger emphasis on enhancing economic and people-to-people relations, which will benefit India greatly. He looked forward to useful conversations with leaders from China, South Africa, Brazil and Russia on global and regional challenges. (ANI)