Will PM Modi Lead a Multi-Nation Tour in July to Combat Terrorism?

New Delhi, June 21 (NationPress) In a bid to strengthen multilateralism, enhance bilateral economic ties, and gather support for India's campaign against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a significant tour of various nations next month, including participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil.

From July 2-10, PM Modi is anticipated to visit Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jordan, as per top officials, who have not dismissed the possibility of additional stopovers.

As he aims to reinforce India’s stature as a representative of the Global South, PM Modi has been emphasizing India's role as a 'Vishwa Bandhu' in an increasingly polarized world.

Over the past 11 years, India has solidified its standing as a steadfast ally of Africa, with PM Modi highlighting New Delhi's commitment to the continent.

This visit to Morocco marks only the second occasion that an Indian PM has visited the nation, following the historic visit by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in February 1999.

King Mohammed VI, who first visited India in 2001, returned in 2015 for the third India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III). Analysts believe his meeting with PM Modi during this event significantly strengthened the partnership between the two nations.

Since then, India and Morocco have exchanged over two dozen Ministerial visits and signed more than 40 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors including counter-terrorism, cyber security, space, agriculture, and vocational training.

PM Modi's upcoming visit holds substantial importance as it follows the tragic April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and comes at a time when Morocco is also confronting the rising tide of terrorism, militancy, and extremism in the Sahel region. Morocco is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and co-chairs the Africa Focus Group.

After concluding his engagements in Africa, PM Modi may proceed to Argentina, according to sources familiar with the evolving itinerary.

The relationship between India and Argentina has flourished, particularly after being upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of the then President of Argentina to India in February 2019.

In a significant bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, PM Modi and Argentina's President Javier Milei expressed satisfaction with the progress of their Strategic Partnership.

Following this, PM Modi will attend the BRICS Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for July 6-7.

During the previous Summit in Kazan, held under Russia's chairmanship in October 2024, PM Modi acknowledged the uncertainties facing the world and called for a people-centric approach within BRICS to address these challenges.

It is anticipated that PM Modi will visit Trinidad and Tobago following the BRICS Summit.

In November, while addressing the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to the Global South, acknowledging that these nations are most affected by recent global challenges.

Notably, during the Summit, PM Modi met with the then Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith Rowley, to congratulate him on adopting India's UPI platform and assured continued collaboration in digital transformation.

India and Trinidad share a long-standing connection dating back to 1845 when the first ship, 'Fatel Razack', carrying Indian indentured laborers, arrived on Trinidad’s shores.

On his return to India, PM Modi is expected to make a stop in Jordan, a country with deep historical ties to India.

During his visit to Palestine in February 2018, PM Modi transited through Amman, where he was welcomed by King Abdullah for bilateral discussions.

Since King Abdullah's historic State Visit to India in February-March 2018, both leaders have met on four occasions, including discussions at the 74th UNGA in September 2019 and during the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024.

On April 24, King Abdullah condemned the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam during a phone call with PM Modi, expressing condolences for the victims.