BRICS Summit begins in China, restricted session underway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the International Conference Center in Xiamen, China, on Monday morning, marking the beginning of the BRICS Summit here.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This was followed by a group photograph of the BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Michel Temer, and a subsequent restricted session, which is now underway.

Prime Minister Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Putin and Brazilian President Temer.

Prime Minister Modi is likely to meet Chinese President Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Xiamen for the first time since the resolution of the two-month standoff in Doklam along Sikkim border.

Earlier, a scheduled airport welcoming ceremony in Xiamen for Prime Minister Modi was cancelled on Sunday due to inclement weather.

"The aircraft carrying Indian PM arrived in Xiamen on Sept 3. A scheduled airport welcoming ceremony was canceled due to heavy rainfall," People's Daily China tweeted.

Chinese President Jinping had earlier said that the BRICS must commit to engage in diplomacy to resolve "hotspot issues" for "global peace and development" and not "conflict and confrontation".

The ninth BRICS summit is set to start in Xiamen under China's Chairmanship.

The Prime Minister had said that he was looking forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes during the multilateral forum.

In a Facebook post, the Prime Minister said, "India had the privilege of hosting the previous Summit in Goa in October last year. I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit. I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of China."

The Prime Minister further stated that he will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).