BRICS Summit 2017: Looking forward to productive, positive outcomes, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was looking forward to fruitful discussions and pragmatic outcomes at the upcoming BRICS summit in China.He emphasized that it has to make vital contributions in sustaining peace and security and address global challenges.

"I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit. I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of china," the PM said in a statement.

Modi will leave tomorrow for Xiamen to attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit on September 4.
The visit comes days after India and China managed to end the 73-daylong Dokalam standoff.

About his first bilateral visit to Myanmar, Modi said both countries will look at strengthening existing cooperation in areas of security and counter-terrorism, trade and investment, infrastructure and energy, and culture.

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On BRICS, the Prime Minister said he will have the opportunity to meet leaders bilaterally on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Replying to a specific question, the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday did not rule out a possible meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the summit, saying it is a common practice to arrange bilateral meetings on the sidelines of such multilateral.

India had hosted the previous BRICS summit in Goa last year. "India attaches high importance to the role of BRICS thathas begun the second decade of its partnership for progress andpeace.

BRICS has important contributions to make in addressing global challenges and upholding world peace and security," the prime minister said.

The prime minister said he was looking forward to engaging with leaders of nine other countries, including BRICS partners, in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue, being hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 5.

"We will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all five countries," he said. On his Myanmar visit from September 5-7, Modi hoped itwill help in charting a roadmap for closer cooperation betweenthe two countries.

He said both countries will review developments inbilateral ties with a focus on "extensive" program of development cooperation and socio economic assistance India is undertaking in Myanmar.

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Both sides will also explore new areas of cooperation. The prime minister said he was looking forward to payinga visit to the famed heritage city of Bagan, where the Archaeological Survey of India has done "stellar work" inrenovating the Ananda Temple, and where it will be undertaking further restoration work on a number of pagodas and murals that were damaged in last year's earthquake.

Modi had visited Myanmar in 2014 to attend the ASEAN-India Summit. The prime minister will meet President U Htin Kyaw and hold talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The Myanmarese president and Suu Kyi had visited India last year.

"I am also keen to meet and interact with the Indian-origin community of Myanmar, whose history goes back more than a century.

"I am confident that the visit will open a bright newchapter in India-Myanmar relations and will help in charting aroadmap for closer cooperation between our governments, our business communities and at the people to people level," Modi said.