BRICS Summit 2023 highlights: India, a fastest-growing economy, will be growth engine of world, says PM Modi

A deal to expand the BRICS group of leading developing countries appeared stuck in eleventh hour negotiations at a leaders summit on Wednesday, threatening to undermine the bloc's ambition to give the "Global South" more clout in world affairs.

Agreement to expand BRICS - currently Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - could allow dozens of interested nations to seek admission as Beijing and Moscow push to forge it into a viable counterweight to the West. (Check Latest updates here)

India has world's 3rd largest startup ecosytem; there are over 100 unicorns: PM Narendra Modi at BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue

India will be growth engine of the world. It's because India turned calamity and tough times into economic reforms. In the last few years, the ease of doing business in India has improved due to the work done in the mission mode...We have focused on public service delivery and good governance...Today in India UPI is used at all levels...Today among all countries in the world, India is the country with the highest digital transaction: PM Modi

Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Soon, India will be a 5 trillion dollar economy, said PM Modi at BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa.

PM Modi is currently attending the BRICS Business Forum in Johannesburg.

PM Modi inspects model of Swaminarayan temple in Johannesburg, South Africa. The construction of the temple will be completed by 2025

PM Modi arrived in South Africa on a three-day visit to attend the 15th BRICS summit. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Deputy President of South Africa received the PM on this arrival. A ceremonial guard of honour will be extended to the PM."

Yashika Singh, an Indian community member and media personnel of South African Broadcasting Corporation, prepares a 'Rakhi' thali to welcome PM Modi in South Africa

"...The first rakhi is in the shape of Lord Ganesha. We pray that all obstacles are removed for PM Modi in his work. The second rakhi is in the shape of Kurma avatar...We would like to remind him that he is still our brother and these are rakhis of protection for him."

As South Africa holds the presidency of the 15th BRICS Summit, world leaders have set to arrive in Johannesburg today. Security arrangements have been tightened at places near the convention centre and the city is decked up with posters and banners of the BRICS Summit.

Tall digital screens featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also been setup across the South African city.

PM Modi will be arriving in Johannesburg in the next few hours. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva have already arrived.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is set to visit Johannesburg on Tuesday for the 15th BRICS Summit, will also meet the Indian community residing in the country. Sawubonamodiji Welcome Committee member, Naresh Ramatar said that they will show PM Modi a 3-D model of the new Swami Narayan Mandir which is likely to be completed by 2025 in Johannesburg.

A video shows the security arrangements in Johannesburg, South Africa aheadd of 15th BRICS Summit. PM Modi is set to arrive at the South African city shortly.

Leaders of the BRICS nations will focus on ways to reduce dependence on the US dollar when they meet starting Tuesday. China, backed by Russia and South Africa, has been pushing for new members to be admitted to the alliance, an expansion that has stoked concerns the bloc is trying to position itself as a counterweight to the Group of Seven.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Johannesburg for the 15th BRICS Summit. However, President Vladimir Putin will attend the summit in virtuall as the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Putin for alleged war crimes of unlawfully deporting and transferring children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.