Finance
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant eight-day diplomatic tour on Wednesday, marking his longest overseas visit in more than ten years. The extensive itinerary includes visits to five nations—Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia—from July 2 to July 9, 2025. All five countries are part of the Global South, underscoring India’s focus on strengthening ties with emerging economies.
In a departure statement, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the strategic importance of each leg of the visit, starting with Ghana, where he is visiting at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama. Describing Ghana as a valued partner in the Global South, PM Modi acknowledged its key roles in both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He emphasized the visit’s aim to deepen historical ties and explore new avenues of cooperation in investment, energy, health, security, capacity building, and development partnership. He also expressed honour in addressing the Parliament of Ghana, calling both nations “fellow democracies.”
On July 3 and 4, the Prime Minister will visit Trinidad and Tobago, a country with longstanding historical and cultural ties to India. PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who attended this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as Chief Guest, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who recently assumed office for a second term. Recalling the arrival of Indians in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago, the Prime Minister described the visit as a chance to rejuvenate bonds of ancestry and kinship.
The third stop will be Buenos Aires, Argentina—marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 57 years. Describing Argentina as a key economic partner in Latin America and a close G20 collaborator, PM Modi will hold talks with President Javier Milei to expand cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the BRICS Summit on July 6 and 7. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to the bloc, which he described as a vital platform for emerging economies working toward a just, democratic, and balanced multipolar world order. In addition to the summit, several bilateral meetings with global leaders are planned. The Prime Minister will also make a bilateral state visit to Brasília—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades—where he will meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to strengthen India-Brazil cooperation and advance the Global South agenda.
The final destination of the tour will be Namibia, where PM Modi will meet President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Calling Namibia a trusted partner with shared anti-colonial history, he aims to chart a new roadmap for bilateral cooperation. He will also address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament, emphasizing shared values of freedom, development, and solidarity.
PM Modi expressed confidence that the tour will reinforce India’s bonds of friendship across the Global South, deepen bilateral partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and bolster multilateral cooperation through forums such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS, and CARICOM.
