Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
India is hosting the 18th edition of the multilateral summit on September 12-13.
Modi met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at Hyderabad House.
The UAE became a full member of BRICS in January 2024, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Modi’s meeting with Sheikh Khaled comes amid growing India-UAE cooperation, particularly in trade and energy security, with the two countries seeking to advance their strategic partnership and promote shared prosperity.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said Sheikh Khaled’s visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Earlier, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia is participating in the BRICS summit as a partner country at the invitation of Modi.
Ibrahim is scheduled to deliver a national statement on “Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” at the summit. According to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, his address will emphasise the importance of strengthening cooperation among BRICS member and partner countries to address development challenges, expand economic opportunities and ensure that the benefits of technological advancement and innovation are shared more inclusively.
India-Malaysia relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024. The two countries have since sought to deepen cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests. During Modi’s visit to Malaysia in 2026, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in defence, security, trade and maritime affairs.
Modi also met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at Hyderabad House. Ethiopia joined BRICS in 2024, gaining greater access to the markets of member countries and potentially expanding its export opportunities.
Ahmed arrived in New Delhi on Friday and was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.
