Modi’s bilateral meets put defence, security cooperation in focus, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in bilateral meetings with leaders from Asia and Africa on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
• The discussions primarily focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation, alongside trade, technology, and strategic partnerships.
• India aims to deepen its engagement with key partners across the Global South and expand its strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia, and Africa.
• The Philippines, which became a strategic partner of India in August 2025, is the first foreign customer for India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.
• The BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines is valued at $375 million, with deliveries and training currently underway.

Detailed Insights:

• The bilateral engagements were utilized to leverage the BRICS platform for reinforcing defence partnerships, capacity building, and indigenous defence exports.
• PM Modi held separate meetings with leaders including Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima Mustapha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the President of Burundi and chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye.
• Cooperation with the Philippines extends beyond defence to include trade, investment, space, railways, fintech, education, science and technology, and innovation.
• Discussions with Kazakhstan President Tokayev also covered cooperation in connectivity, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies.
• Malaysia has expressed interest in acquiring the BrahMos missile system, with exploratory discussions ongoing.
• India's broader push for security cooperation with African partners was highlighted through discussions with Uganda and Nigeria, focusing on technology partnerships, capacity building, and private-sector collaboration.
• The BrahMos missile system is a joint venture between India and Russia, recognized as one of the world's fastest cruise missiles.
• The Philippines acquired three batteries of the BrahMos anti-ship missiles to enhance its territorial defence capabilities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, representing major emerging economies.
• Global South: A term referring to developing and emerging countries, primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, that share common developmental and historical concerns.
• BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile system developed jointly by India and Russia, capable of being launched from various platforms.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical concept encompassing the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these maritime regions.