What Happened When PM Modi Met Bolivian President at the BRICS Summit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Meeting between PM Modi and President Arce Catacora focused on enhancing bilateral relations.
- Discussion on cooperation in critical minerals and trade.
- Both leaders recognized the potential for sustainable partnerships.
- PM Modi expressed solidarity with Bolivia after recent flooding.
- Celebration of Bolivia's bicentennial independence was acknowledged.
Rio de Janeiro, July 7 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a meeting with Bolivia's President Luis Arce Catacora during the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday.
The two leaders evaluated their bilateral relations and expressed their contentment regarding the advancements made, focusing on partnerships in critical minerals, trade and commerce, Digital Public Infrastructure including UPI, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, small and medium enterprises, as well as training and capacity development.
Both leaders acknowledged the promising opportunities for enhanced cooperation in the critical minerals sector and the potential for fostering sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships.
They noted satisfaction with the ongoing development initiatives between Bolivia and India, particularly through Quick Impact Projects and capacity-building programs under the ITEC scholarship scheme.
Prime Minister Modi extended his sympathies to the Bolivian populace following the catastrophic flooding experienced in March-April 2025 in La Paz and other regions.
He also offered congratulations to Bolivia for its inclusion in the International Solar Alliance.
During the meeting, PM Modi conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the Bolivian government and people in light of the upcoming bicentennial celebration, commemorating 200 years of independence on August 6, 2025.
This visit marks PM Modi's fourth trip to Brazil, with previous visits occurring in July 2014, 2019 for the BRICS summit, and November of last year for the G20 summit.
At this summit, he will proceed to Brasilia after participating in the two-day 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he also held multiple bilateral discussions with leaders from various Latin American nations, as India seeks to strengthen its global connections.
Prior to his current five-nation tour, PM Modi expressed optimism that these visits would solidify India's friendships within the Global South, fortify partnerships across both sides of the Atlantic, and enhance collaboration in multilateral forums such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS, and CARICOM.