Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi Holds BRICS Talks on Defence and Trade Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leaders from Malaysia and Ethiopia during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
They talked about improving their countries’ relationships with India.
Malaysia and Ethiopia said they wanted closer defence cooperation.
This could include training military personnel and buying defence equipment from India.
India and Malaysia also discussed semiconductors, trade, technology, energy and education.
India and Ethiopia discussed business, security and training.
Ethiopia welcomed more involvement from Indian mining companies.
Modi also held meetings with leaders from Vietnam and Abu Dhabi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Malaysia and Ethiopia expressed interest in stronger defence cooperation with India, including joint personnel training and possible defence procurement.
India and Malaysia reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, semiconductors, infrastructure, digital economy, energy, fintech, education and tourism.
Ethiopia highlighted economic cooperation, capacity building and opportunities for Indian mining companies, while both sides discussed defence and security.
Modi also met Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan on the summit’s sidelines.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan.
- What
- The leaders held bilateral meetings covering defence, trade, investment, economic cooperation, technology and regional issues.
- When
- During the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026; the meetings with Anwar Ibrahim and Abiy Ahmed took place on Saturday.
- Where
- New Delhi, including a meeting at Hyderabad House, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
- Why
- To review existing cooperation and discuss stronger strategic, economic, defence and multilateral partnerships.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- Malaysia’s BRICS status
- Malaysia participated as a BRICS Partner Country.
- Defence discussions
- Joint personnel training and defence procurement from India were discussed with Malaysia and Ethiopia.
- Malaysia cooperation areas
- Trade, investment, semiconductors, infrastructure, digital economy, energy, fintech, education, tourism and people-to-people ties.
- Ethiopia cooperation areas
- Economic cooperation, defence and security partnership, capacity building and opportunities for Indian mining companies.
- Consulate decision
- Malaysia conveyed concurrence for establishing an Indian Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
- Earlier India-Ethiopia engagement
- The Ethiopia meeting followed Modi’s visit to Addis Ababa in December 2025.
