Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in South Africa for three day visit.
Modi said he was looking forward to the deliberations and meetings with world leaders during the 15th BRICS Summit as he was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival in the African country.
Modi, who arrived in Johannesburg, was received by South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile at Waterkloof Air Force Base, where he given a ceremonial guard of honour, reported PTI.
"Landed in Johannesburg a short while ago. Looking forward to the various deliberations and meetings with world leaders during the BRICS Summit over the next few days," Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Advertisement
Modi is visiting the African country from August 22 to 24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
India to become growth engine for the world: PM Modi
Modi said India will become the growth engine for the world in the coming years, and the ease of doing business has improved with "mission-mode" reforms being undertaken by his government.
Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue here, Modi also said India soon will become a USD 5 trillion economy.
He told the gathering that India has the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and there are over 100 unicorns in the country.
Advertisement
Brics summit in South Africa
South Africa is hosting the first in-person summit of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, since 2019.
"PM @narendramodi touches down at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, South Africa. Warmly received by Deputy President @PMashatile of South Africa. Accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to South Africa entails participation in the 15th BRICS Summit and engagements with leaders of BRICS and invited countries in plurilateral and bilateral settings, he added.
A large number of Indian community members, including activists of the Pretoria Hindu Seva Samaj and the local chapter of the BAPS Swaminarayan organisation, greeted the prime minister, the report mentioned.
Modi then left for Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg, the venue of the BRICS Summit, it said.
At the hotel, he met with local and expatriate Indian community members ahead of the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue. The Indian community members carrying national flags and musical instruments welcomed Modi upon his arrival at the hotel with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', it added.
"Gratitude to South Africa's Indian community for the special welcome in Johannesburg," Modi posted on platform X along with some pictures of his interaction with the diaspora.
Two women diaspora members tied 'rakhi' around the wrist of Modi ahead of Raksha Bandhan, falling on August 30, it said.
Advertisement
Modi also viewed a model of the huge Swaminarayan Mandir which has been under construction since 2017 and is expected to be completed next year, it said.
The new temple at North Riding, north of Johannesburg, will be similar to one in Nairobi in Kenya, which is built entirely of stone. It will also include classrooms and a clinic, it mentioned.
