Modi’s bilateral meetings on BRICS sidelines put defence, security cooperation in focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral engagements with leaders from Asia and Africa on the sidelines of the 18thBRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday (September 13, 2026) emphasised defence and security cooperation, alongside trade, technology and strategic partnerships, as India sought to deepen its engagement with key partners across the Global South.

Mr. Modi held separate meetings with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of Burundi and chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye.

The meeting with Mr. Marcos of the Philippines assumes particular significance for India's defence outreach in Southeast Asia. The two leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation in defence and security, along with trade and investment, space, railways, fintech, education, science and technology and innovation.

The Philippines, which became a strategic partner of India in August 2025, is also a key defence partner in the region. The country has emerged as an important customer for Indian defence equipment, particularly the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. It is the first foreign customer for BrahMos under a $375-million deal, with deliveries and training underway.

Defence and security also figured prominently in Mr. Modi’s discussions with Kazakhstan President Tokayev, with the two sides reviewing cooperation in these fields as well as in connectivity, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies. Kazakhstan remains an important Central Asian partner for India amid New Delhi’s efforts to expand strategic and security engagement with the region.

The defence dimension of India’s engagement with Malaysia also received attention during BRICS-related diplomacy. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said exploratory discussions were underway on Kuala Lumpur acquiring the BrahMos missile system, though no final decision had been taken.

With Nigeria, Mr. Modi discussed defence and security alongside trade, investment, energy, agriculture, health and digital technologies. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership.

The broader engagements also underlined India’s push for greater security cooperation with African partners. Discussions with Uganda focused on technology partnerships, capacity building and private-sector collaboration, while the meeting with the African Union Chairperson covered development partnership and capacity building.

Taken together, the meetings highlighted New Delhi’s effort to leverage the BRICS platform to reinforce defence partnerships, capacity building and indigenous defence exports, while expanding India’s strategic footprint across the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia and Africa.