Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he was looking forward to "productive discussions" at the BRICS summit to be held in Xiamen, China from Sunday to Tuesday.[Special Coverage]
Modi also said his country "attaches high importance" to the summit.
"India had the privilege of hosting the previous summit in Goa in October last year. I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit," Modi said in a statement posed on his Facebook page.
"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," he said, adding that he will also have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
"We will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all five countries. In addition, I look forward to engaging with leaders of nine other countries, including BRICS partners in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue..." Modi said.
Alongside the Facebook post, Modi, who is expected to leave for the summit on Sunday, also tweeted "India attaches high importance to BRICS, which has begun a 2nd decade of its partnership for progress and peace."
Coined by former Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001, the term "BRIC" referred to Brazil, Russia, India and China, four emerging markets with fast growth and great potential. In 2010, South Africa joined the group, and the acronym was changed to BRICS.
Together, the five countries now represent 44 percent of the world's population and 23 percent of global GDP, up from 12 percent a decade ago.
After attending the summit, Modi will travel to Myanmar for a visit from Tuesday to Thursday. He said he was looking forward to meeting Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
"We will also look at strengthening our existing cooperation on security and counter-terrorism, trade and investment, skill development, infrastructure and energy, and culture," he said.
"I am confident that the visit will open a bright new chapter in India-Myanmar relations and will help in charting a roadmap for closer cooperation between our governments, our business communities and at the people to people level," Modi added.
