President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in India on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted under India’s chairmanship in New Delhi from 12-13 September.
The summit is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security” and brings together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as invited guests.
Ramaphosa was on Friday expected to deliver remarks at the BRICS Business Forum, focusing on trade, supply chains, agriculture, women‑led development, the digital economy and innovation.
He is also scheduled to address the India‑South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable on Saturday, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment, particularly in pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals, and the electric vehicle battery value chain.
The President will later join a closed session of BRICS leaders on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”, which will consider reforms to the United Nations system, the international financial architecture, and the multilateral trading system.
On Sunday, he will deliver a statement during the summit’s open session on shaping inclusive global growth.
South Africa is using the summit to push for expanded intra‑BRICS trade and investment, industrialisation, and greater support for African infrastructure projects aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Ramaphosa will also participate in the BRICS @20 Exhibition on Sunday showcasing innovation and technology, a joint tree‑planting ceremony, and bilateral meetings with fellow heads of state and business leaders.
He is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.
JN/APA