BRICS: Modi Strengthens Global South Ties with Uruguay, Bolivia, Cuba, Vietnam and Malaysia
On the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with leaders from Uruguay, Bolivia, Cuba, and Malaysia. These meetings focused at deepening India’s partnerships across the Global South.
In his meeting with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi, the two leaders reviewed the full scope of bilateral ties, with particular emphasis on expanding digital collaboration, UPI-based fintech, defence, agriculture, health, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
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They expressed mutual interest in strengthening trade and investment and expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Orsi for Uruguay’s strong condemnation of the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a forward-looking bilateral partnership.
With Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora, discussions focused on critical minerals, traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, and capacity-building initiatives.
Both leaders welcomed the potential for sustainable partnerships in mineral extraction and noted the success of development cooperation through India’s ITEC scholarships and Quick Impact Projects.
Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with Bolivia following recent severe floods and congratulated the country on joining the International Solar Alliance and on its upcoming bicentennial celebration in August 2025.
In talks with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Prime Minister Modi proposed deeper cooperation in fintech, healthcare, science and technology, and disaster management. The two leaders discussed India's Digital Public Infrastructure and the potential integration of Ayurveda into Cuba’s healthcare system.
Modi also suggested Cuba recognize Indian pharmacopoeia to expand access to generic medicines. Both sides emphasized continued cooperation on global health, climate change, and multilateral issues of the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi also met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to review bilateral progress since the latter’s state visit to India in August 2024. Discussions focused on trade, defence, education, healthcare, and tourism.
Modi thanked Ibrahim for condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and welcomed Malaysia’s support for ASEAN-India ties, including the timely review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement.
Together, these engagements underscored India’s growing role as a trusted partner across the Global South and its commitment to advancing inclusive development, regional security, and digital innovation.