At BRICS Summit, PM Modi notices Tricolour on ground, picks it up; SA President Ramaphosa follows suit

JOHANNESBURG: Prime Minister Narendra Modi noticed the Indian Tricolour on the ground during the group photo at the BRICS summit, picked it up and kept it with him to make sure no one stepped on it.

Each leader’s place was marked with the country’s flag to denote their standing position. PM Modi showed immense support for the Tricolour when he picked it up and kept it. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa already stepped on his flag but after observing PM Modi, he also followed him.

The BRICS leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived at the Sandton Convention Centre to attend the plenary sessions. Prior to attending the sessions, the leaders posed for a BRICS family photograph.

#WATCH | Johannesburg, South Africa | PM Narendra Modi notices Indian Tricolour on the ground (to denote standing position) during the group photo at BRICS, makes sure to not step on it, picks it up and keeps it with him. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa follows suit. pic.twitter.com/vf5pAkgPQo

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2023

Significantly, PM Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping were seen standing apart from each other as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held their hands together.

Other than PM Modi, Xi and Ramaphosa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Brazil President Lula da Silva were also in the BRICS group photo. The plenaries are scheduled to be followed by a cultural performance and a banquet dinner hosted by President Ramaphosa.

Moreover, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) took to ‘X’ and tweeted, “PM Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg. They discussed strengthening the India-South Africa partnership in diverse sectors such as boosting business ties, security and people-to-people connect.”

PM Modi arrived in South Africa on Tuesday and received a ceremonial welcome at Waterkloof Air Force Base. Upon his arrival, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora chanting ‘Vande Mataram’.

The opening day of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg was witness to the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue. In his address at the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, PM Modi said India will soon be a $5 trillion economy and in the coming years will be the growth engine of the world.

PM Modi’s special message to the dialogue was that mutual trust and transparency can help create a big impact, especially in the Global South.

BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This is the first in-person BRICS Summit after three consecutive years of virtual meetings owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. (ANI)