India-Ethiopia Bilateral Talks, Global South Advocacy and Key Summit Meetings

The 18th BRICS Summit has commenced at Bharat Mandapam under India's chairship. The summit's agenda focuses on inclusive global governance, supply chain diversification, and advancing multipolarity while avoiding an anti-West orientation. India is working to build consensus on a New Delhi Declaration that strongly addresses the menace of terrorism as an obstacle to economic cooperation and regional security. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking their first meeting on Indian soil in nearly seven years. Key talking points for the Modi-Xi dialogue include boundary discussions following the Special Representative talks, as well as addressing the widening bilateral trade deficit between India and China amid two-way trade exceeding 150 billion dollars.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, where he was received at the airport by Minister of State Muktar Tibrewala. The Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to President Xi, stating that India looks forward to constructive discussions as BRICS continues to advance cooperation and contribute to a balanced, representative, and multipolar world. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting PM Modi's immense global appeal and popularity. Experts on the broadcast, including Lieutenant General Raj Shukla and ORF Associate Fellow Heena Makija, discussed the evolving character of the BRICS grouping amid global geopolitical rivalries and the decline of traditional multilateral institutions. The panel examined the bloc's internal contradictions, expansion, economic architecture, and its role as a crucial platform for dialogue among nations amidst ongoing international tensions.

Diplomatic discussions highlighted the significance of key bilateral engagements with international partners amid ongoing regional tensions. Talks with regional leadership emphasized resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy while keeping vital sea lanes of commerce and communication open under international law. In relations with neighboring powers, progress has been made through core commander level talks and an eight-point agreement to address boundary matters and trade balance alongside border peace and tranquility. Furthermore, strategic autonomy guides ongoing international partnerships, with a strong focus on narrowing trade deficits by expanding exports. As plurilateral groupings expand, the agenda emphasizes resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Rather than functioning as an anti-Western platform, such multilateral frameworks seek institutional reforms to serve developing economies and the Global South. Diplomatic efforts continue to prioritize people-centric initiatives spanning trade, clean energy, mobility, health, and education to enhance resilience and economic opportunities across member nations.

In an interview with India Today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed questions regarding Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that he is alive and performing his duties. Pezeshkian dismissed speculations, asserting that foreign adversaries spread rumours because they cannot locate the Supreme Leader. He condemned the actions of the United States and Israel across the region, accusing them of carrying out assassinations and targeting leaders, scientists, and infrastructure. Pezeshkian also discussed bilateral relations between Iran and India, noting that ties with the Prime Minister of India are strengthening continuously based on deep-rooted historical and cultural connections.