The many 'firsts' and a 'second' in PM Modi's five-nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an eight-day, five-nation tour starting July 2, marking his longest diplomatic visit in a decade.

The trip’s key highlight will be PM Modi’s participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil, as he aims to deepen India’s engagement with major nations of the Global South.

Apart from Brazil, PM Modi will visit Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia during the trip, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

PM Modi’s trip will begin in Ghana, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the West African nation in over three decades.

In Argentina, PM Modi’s arrival will be the first by an Indian prime minister in nearly 60 years and will feature his first full bilateral engagement with President Javier Milei.

On July 3, PM Modi is scheduled to reach Trinidad and Tobago, making it the first prime minister-level bilateral visit to the Caribbean nation since 1999.

This will be PM Modi’s second five-nation tour since becoming prime minister. His previous trip of similar scale took place in 2016, when he visited the United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Afghanistan, and Qatar in a single itinerary.

In July 2015, PM Modi also undertook an eight-day, six-nation tour that included Russia and five Central Asian countries.

Ghana on Tuesday

In the first leg of the visit, PM Modi will visit Ghana from July 2 to 3.

The MEA said that during the visit, PM Modi will hold talks with the president of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration.

Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, Thursday

From Ghana, PM Modi will travel to Trinidad and Tobago on a two-day visit from July 3 to 4.

During the visit, PM Modi will hold talks with President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. He is also expected to address a joint session of the parliament of the island nation.

The visit of the prime minister to Trinidad and Tobago will impart fresh impetus to the deep-rooted and historical ties between the two countries, the MEA said.

Argentina on July 4

In the third leg of his visit, PM Modi will visit Argentina from July 4 to 5.

According to the MEA, the prime minister will hold wide-ranging talks with President Javier Milei to further enhance the India-Argentina partnership in key areas, including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade, and investment.

“The bilateral visit of the prime minister will further deepen the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Argentina,” it said in a statement.

BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Brazil

In the fourth leg of his visit, PM Modi will travel to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The prime minister will visit Brazil from July 5 to 8, 2025, to attend the 17th BRICS summit, followed by a state visit.

This will be PM Modi’s fourth visit to Brazil as the prime minister. The 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

“During the summit, the prime minister will exchange views on key global issues including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, economic and financial matters,” the MEA said.

Bilaterals on BRICS sidelines

PM Modi is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

For the state visit to Brazil, PM Modi will travel to Brasilia, where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Lula on broadening the strategic partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health, and people-to-people linkages, the MEA said.

Namibia in the final leg

In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will travel to Namibia.

This will be PM Modi’s first trip to the country and the third ever prime ministerial visit from India to Namibia.

During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He is also expected to deliver an address at the Parliament of Namibia.

“The visit of the prime minister is a reiteration of India’s multi-faceted and deep-rooted historical ties with Namibia,” the MEA said.

With inputs from agencies