Modi’s bilateral meetings on the sidelines of BRICS emphasize defense and security cooperation

New Delhi, Sep 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the opening remarks at the BRICS Summit on ‘Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth’ at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday. (Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/Photo by ANI) | Photo credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral talks with leaders from Asia and Africa on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi on Sunday (13 September 2026) highlighted defense and security cooperation along with trade, technology and strategic partnerships as India sought to deepen its engagement with key partners across the Global South.

Mr. Modi separately met Kazakh President Kassy-Jomart Tokaev, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Burundian President and African Union Chairperson Nyvarist Nyeday.

Strategic partner

The meeting with Mr. Marcos of the Philippines has special significance for India’s defense engagement in Southeast Asia. The two leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation in defense and security, along with trade and investment, space, rail, fintech, education, science and technology and innovation.

A key defense partner in the region is also the Philippines, which became India’s strategic partner in August 2025. The country has become an important customer of Indian defense equipment, especially the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. It is the first foreign customer for BrahMos in a $375 million deal, with supplies and training.

Defense and security also figured prominently in Mr Modi’s discussions with Kazakh President Tokaev, with the two sides considering cooperation in these areas, as well as connectivity, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies. Kazakhstan remains an important Central Asian partner for India amid New Delhi’s efforts to expand strategic and security engagement in the region.

The defense dimension of India’s engagement in Malaysia has also gained attention during BRICS-related diplomacy. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said exploratory discussions were underway for Kuala Lumpur to acquire the BrahMos missile system, although no final decision had been made.

Defense ties with Africa

With Nigeria, Mr Modi discussed defense and security alongside trade, investment, energy, agriculture, health and digital technology. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership.

The broader commitments also underscored India’s push for greater security cooperation with African partners. The discussion with Uganda focused on technology partnerships, capacity building and private sector cooperation, while the meeting with the African Union chairperson was on development partnership and capacity building.

Taken together, these meetings highlighted New Delhi’s efforts to use the BRICS platform to strengthen defense partnerships, capacity building and domestic defense exports, while expanding India’s strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia and Africa.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 20:22 IST