By Sale Lawal
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a series of bilateral meetings with fellow leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, as Russia, China and other members of the grouping push forward efforts to strengthen multipolarity and global governance.
According to Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin, Putin will pay a working visit to India from September 11 to 13, where he will participate in the BRICS Business Forum and the leaders’ summit.
The BRICS Business Forum is scheduled to open on September 11, with Putin expected to address the gathering as leaders and business representatives discuss economic cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.
According to Ushakov, leaders from eight countries, including Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa and Ethiopia, are expected to participate in the summit.
He said Putin is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Ushakov described BRICS as “one of the key centers of the multipolar world and global governance,” stressing that the grouping “has really gained weight since inception”
He said the growing influence of BRICS reflects its expanding role in shaping international economic and political cooperation amid the emergence of a more multipolar world order.
(GSF with contributions from Sputnik)