BRICS Summit: Modi Calls for Peace in Ukraine, India Ready to Help Achieve Truce
KAZAN: India’s Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the BRICS summit that he wanted peace in Ukraine and that New Delhi was ready to help achieve a truce to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.
The BRICS Summit
Russia is expecting 22 leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to attend the summit meeting of the BRICS, which accounts for 45% of the world’s population and 35% of the global economy.
The Call for Peace
Modi thanked Putin for his "strong friendship", praised growing cooperation and the evolution of BRICS, but also said that India felt the conflict in Ukraine should be ended peacefully. "We have been in constant touch on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Modi said. "We believe that problems should be resolved only through peaceful means. We fully support the early restoration of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible support in the times to come."
The BRICS Partnership
Putin, who is cast by the West as a war criminal, welcomed Modi to Kazan, a city on the banks of the Volga, and said Russia and India shared a "privileged strategic partnership". The two leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis, with India offering to help achieve a truce.
Security Interests
When asked by BRICS reporters about the prospects for peace, Putin said that Moscow would not trade away the four regions of eastern Ukraine that it says are now part of Russia and that Moscow wants its long-term security interests taken into account in Europe. Two Russian sources said that, while there was increasing talk in Moscow of a possible ceasefire agreement, there was nothing concrete yet – and that the world was awaiting the result of the Nov. 5 presidential election in the United States.
BRICS’ Global Reach
The BRICS summit takes place as global finance chiefs gather in Washington amid war in the Middle East as well as Ukraine, a flagging Chinese economy, and worries that the U.S. presidential election could ignite new trade battles. With BRICS expanding – and a waiting list of potential members – there is anxiety among some about whether expansion will make the group unwieldy.
Conclusion
As the BRICS summit commences, it is clear that the group’s role on the global stage is significant. With its collective weight of 45% of the world’s population and 35% of the global economy, BRICS has the potential to shape global economic and political trends. However, the group’s expansion and the involvement of new members will be crucial in ensuring that its actions align with its stated goals of promoting peace, stability, and economic development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is BRICS?
A: BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which are among the world’s leading emerging markets.
Q: What are the goals of BRICS?
A: The goals of BRICS are to promote peace, stability, and economic development, as well as to facilitate cooperation among its member countries.
Q: Is BRICS a rival to Western-dominated global institutions?
A: BRICS is not a direct rival to Western-dominated global institutions, but a complement to them. BRICS aims to promote economic growth, stability, and cooperation in the emerging markets.
Q: What are the benefits of BRICS membership?
A: The benefits of BRICS membership include access to a larger market, increased trade opportunities, and the ability to shape global economic and political trends.