Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked on an eight-day, five-nation diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral ties across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The visit, scheduled from July 2 to July 9, includes stops in Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

PM Modi’s first stop is Ghana, where he is visiting from July 2 to 3 at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama. This marks his first bilateral visit to the West African nation. Calling Ghana a key partner in the Global South, the Prime Minister said the visit would explore cooperation in areas such as investment, energy, health, security, and capacity building. He is also scheduled to address Ghana’s Parliament.

Following Ghana, the Prime Minister will travel to Trinidad and Tobago, a country with which India shares long-standing cultural and people-to-people connections. During the visit, Modi will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo and newly re-elected Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

“Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will rejuvenate our deep bonds of ancestry and kinship,” PM Modi said.

From there, the Prime Minister will proceed to Argentina, in what will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM to the South American nation in 57 years. Modi is expected to hold talks with President Javier Milei on areas of mutual cooperation including agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, technology, and tourism.

The fourth leg of the tour brings him to Brazil, where PM Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a State Visit to Brasilia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades. Discussions will cover strengthening strategic partnerships in sectors like trade, defence, space, health, and energy.

“As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a platform for emerging economies. Together, we strive for a balanced and just multipolar world,” Modi stated ahead of his visit.

The final stop is Namibia, where the Prime Minister will hold talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He will also pay tribute to Namibia’s founding leader, Sam Nujoma, and address a joint session of the Namibian Parliament.

Highlighting India’s shared history with Namibia, PM Modi said the visit would open a new chapter in India-Namibia relations and further strengthen ties with the wider Global South.

The tour is seen as a strategic move to enhance India’s engagement with countries across the Atlantic, expand development partnerships, and contribute actively to multilateral platforms including BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS, and CARICOM.