New Delhi to Host 2016 BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI: India will host the next BRICS Summit in 2016, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a 10-point initiative for closer collaboration among the group of emerging countries and hit out at the west for imposing “unilateral sanctions”.

At the plenary session held in Ufa, Modi said the world was faced with challenges and, therefore, it was important “to have consensus, collaboration and cooperation between all major nations”.

He noted that it would be his honour to host the eighth BRICS Summit in New Delhi in 2016 - four years after India organised the fourth summit in 2012. India would become chairperson from February 2016.

Terming his proposal as ‘Das Kadam’ or Ten Steps, Modi said India was ready to host the first BRICS trade fair. There will also be a Railway Research Centre, cooperation among audit institutions, a digital initiative and Agricultural Research Centre. Not surprisingly as a votary of state-level cooperation, Modi also suggested a forum for provinces and local governments in BRICS. He further suggested a cooperation among cities in urbanisation. On the field of climate change, Modi suggested that the first major project to be financed by the New Development Bank should be in the field of clean energy. Besides, Modi proposed setting up a BRICS Sports Council and an Annual Sports Meet, as well as a film festival. In what was sweet music to the Russian host, Modi asserted at the BRICS Business Council that “unilateral sanctions” were hurting the global economy.

“Unilateral sanctions are hurting the global economy. So, it is very essential that BRICS economies deepen their cooperation. BRICS should also work with other developed regions,” he said while addressing the BRICS Business. He did not name any country, but the veiled comments were certainly aimed at the west as they were made in Russia - which had been the target for sanctions by EU and West over the Ukraine crisis.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com