Next week Prime Minister Modi will be off on a visit to consolidate India’s role as a leading voice of the Global South. He will cover two continents, Africa and South America, and five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and Namibia.
The high-level visit comes at a time when India seeks to broaden bilateral economic ties, enhance defence and space cooperation, secure food and energy partnerships, and strengthen multilateral action against terrorism.
The tour (tentative dates are July 2-10, 2025) is also expected to reinforce India’s commitment to multilateralism, advance digital transformation initiatives, and gather support from partner nations.
Argentina: Strategic Synergy
The first leg of PM Modi’s visit will likely begin in Argentina with the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2019, and momentum has been building in sectors like nuclear energy, critical minerals (especially lithium), agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
Modi last met President Javier Milei at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in late 2024. The two leaders expressed shared interest in enhancing cooperation in trade, defence technologies, and joint research in space and energy security.
Amid growing global threats, Argentina has been unequivocal in supporting India’s fight against terrorism. Ambassador Mariano Caucino recently in an exclusive conversation with StratNewsGlobal, stated the importance of intelligence-sharing and trust-based security frameworks, calling for a global consensus to hold state sponsors of terrorism accountable.
BRICS Summit
A major highlight of the tour will be PM Modi’s participation in the 17th BRICS Summit, scheduled for July 6–7 in Rio de Janeiro. Under Brazil’s chairmanship, the summit will address urgent global challenges such as cybersecurity, economic fragmentation, climate resilience, and global governance reform.
India is expected to reiterate its call for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, and push for people-centric development policies under the framework.
In preparation for the summit, Brazilian security forces conducted extensive military drills simulating a chemical attack scenario in Rio. Troops from the army, navy, and air force were mobilized for a high-speed response operation involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defence units.
These exercises reflect the increasing focus on leader-level security coordination in an era marked by rising asymmetric threats, including bio-terrorism and cyberattacks.
The BRICS bloc, which now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Indonesia, and Nigeria (as a partner country), is expected to deliberate on establishing an alternative international payments system, as member nations seek greater autonomy from the US dollar.
CARICOM and Trinidad & Tobago
Modi will then travel to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) — a key member of CARICOM (Caribbean Community).
T&T and India share a historical connections dating back to 1845, when the first group of Indian indentured workers arrived. Today, Indian-origin citizens constitute the largest ethnic group in T&T, playing a central role in cementing people-to-people ties.
India’s exports to T&T totalled $120.65 million in 2024–25, with key items including vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and iron and steel, while imports from T&T reached $220.9 million, largely consisting of energy products and aluminium.
In 2024, T&T became one of the first Caribbean nations to adopt India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) platform, through a collaboration with NPCI International. This digital leap reflects the growing emphasis on fintech and digital public infrastructure as pillars of future cooperation.
During the upcoming visit, PM Modi and his T&T counterpart Keith Rowley are expected to formalize new agreements in agro-processing, health care, renewable energy, and maritime security.
Ghana, Namibia: All-Weather Partnerships
PM Modi’s final stops in Ghana and Namibia will reinforce India’s long-standing commitment to African development partnerships. India has emerged as a vital partner in sectors like infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, mining, and digital governance across the continent.
In Ghana, new agreements are expected on healthcare systems, vocational training, solar energy deployment, and support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In Namibia, discussions will likely focus on uranium mining cooperation, space tech exchanges, and boosting military-to-military ties under India’s Defence Diplomacy Framework for Africa.
Over the last decade, India has implemented over 180 projects in 40 African countries, reflecting its role as a reliable partner in capacity building, climate finance, and South-South collaboration.
