BRICS Summit 2016: PM Modi, Chinese Prez Xi Jinping discuss terrorism, India's NSG bid

A WION reporter took to Twitter talking about Chinese security officials who created ruckus India-China bilateral. 

#BRICS Breaking - Rude chinese security create a ruckus during bilateral with XI and also start a fist fight. @MEAIndia @WIONews

— Anchal Vohra (@anchalvohra) October 15, 2016

Takeaways from India-South Africa bilateral talk:

• PM Modi thanked President Jacob Zuma for the statement that he had issued post Uri attack and also appreciated the solidarity shown by them
• President Jacob Zuma said that India-South Africa needs to expand co-operation and work towards simplification of visa regime
• Apart from that the two countries discussed Red Fort declaration, trade investments, energy and mining, preferential trade agreement​ and the oldest custom unit.​
• The frequency of meetings of IBSA was also discussed.

PM Modi takes to Twitter to post picture with 'BRICS family' ahead of informal dinner.

With the BRICS family. @BRICS2016 pic.twitter.com/Eb6Q9ktCEY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2016

PM Modi to meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay tomorrow.

Takeaways from India-China bilateral talks:

• India-China recognised terrorism as a key issue. President Xi Jinping said we should strengthen our security dialogue and partnership.
• PM Modi said both India and China had been victims of terrorism which was a scourge afflicting the entire region.
• President Xi Jinping alluded to the threat of ISIL, said terrorism and violent extremism were on the increase.
• Brief discussion on NSG, PM Modi said we look forward to working with China to realise India's membership of NSG.
• President Xi Jinping said that second round of consultations on NSG would take place soon.
• Referring to Masood Azhar, Vikas Swarup in his press address said, "The Chinese side is very well aware of our concerns, need for us to ensure that globally notified terrorists are designated by the UN." He also added, "There is close co-ordination between India and China on this issue,& that particular dialogue will continue."
• President Xi Jinping said India andChina must step up counter terrorism efforts and must maintain our strategic communication and dialogues on it.
• PM Modi said India and China must increase their coordination in context of UN 1267 committee and look for common ground.

PM Modi said comprehensive talks with President Jacob Zuma would further cementing India's ties with South Africa.

Met @SAPresident & had comprehensive talks with him on further cementing India's ties with South Africa. @PresidencyZA pic.twitter.com/31puIoSx1k

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2016

PM Modi calls his meeting with President Xi Jinping 'fruitful', says various aspects of India-China ties were discussed.

My meeting with President Xi Jinping was fruitful. We discussed various aspects of India-China ties. pic.twitter.com/W9MxEvRbrg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2016

PM Modi meets South African President Jacob Zuma, bilateral talks underway.

Last October for #IAFS, this time for @BRICS2016. PM @narendramodi & Prez @SAPresident keep up the tempo of #IndiaSouthAfrica engagement pic.twitter.com/dyBsDdBMUT

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 15, 2016

India-China delegation level talks between begin.

PM @narendramodi and Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping leading the bilateral talks, before the #BRICSSummit in Goa pic.twitter.com/KjZDBEhXgw

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 15, 2016

PM Narendra Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay and Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrive ahead of the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit.

Another set of honoured guests begin to gather. PM of Bhutan and Nepal also arrive ahead of the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit pic.twitter.com/8KPCht8rem

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 15, 2016

In the largest inflow of foreign direct investment, Russia's state-controlled oil giant Rosneft and its partners took over India's second biggest private oil firm Essar Oil in an all-cash deal valued at about US $13 billion.

Over 40 Tibetans were arrested from Margao town for protesting against Xi Jinping. The protesters, demanding independence for Tibet, were rounded up from a site 15km away from the BRICS summit venue.

"A total of 43 Tibetans were arrested in the town where they were protesting. They will be produced before a local court later in the day," Margao Police Inspector C L Patil told PTI. The protest was held under the banner of Tibet Youth Congress.

The protesters, including women, were waving placards with slogans demanding China unconditionally start talks with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's envoy.

Goa Police started a crackdown on Tibetans a week before the summit. In the last few days, more than 20 of them were detained and left with a warning.

Ahead of President Xi Jinping's talks with PM Modi, Chinese official media on Saturday decried West's "bad mouthing" of BRICS and said that disagreements among members were "minor" and that cooperation was the norm.

"Since the establishment of BRICS, speculations of disunity among the countries and decline in their power have emerged one after another. However, the truth is that cooperation among the countries has continued to be strengthened and institutionalised," state-run Global Times said on the BRICS summit.

You can read the entire text of PM Modi and President Putin's joint press statement at BRIC here.

Speaking about the Modi-Putin meet, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "The sense of the meeting was that the relationship has really progressed well in last nine months. The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

Jaishankar also added, "India expressed gratitude to Russia for its unequivocal condemnation of the terror attack on Uri Army base."

In his address at the joint press conference, Putin said, "Companies of both countries are improving industrial cooperation. Military and technical cooperation also improving."

PM Modi said, "Our close collaboration at the UN, BRICS, the East Asia Summit, the G20 and the SCO makes our partnership truly global, both in its scope and coverage," and added "India-Russia ties has given clear direction, fresh impulse, stronger momentum and rich content to our ties."

PM said that in the last four months alone, in the hydrocarbon sector, Indian companies had invested close to US $5.5 billion in Russia’s oil and gas sector.

On terrorism, the PM said, "Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own. We both agree on zero tolerance towards terrorism and also on the situation in Afghanistan. We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism that threatens our entire region."

PM Modi addresses the joint press conference: "I am aware of your (President Putin) deep affection for India, ours is a truly privileged and unique relationship."

"We agreed to work on an annual military industrial conference that will allow stakeholders on both sides to institute and push collaboration. With President Putin's support, we are willing to expand the scope of our relationship further. With an eye on the future, we also agreed to setup a Science and Technology Commission."

"We continue to expand, diversify & deepen economic engagement. Businesses, Industry between our countries is connected more deeply today. The success of this summit highlights our strong convergence of views on pressing issues." 

Speaking about the foundation laid for the two Kudankulam nuclear plants, Modi said, "With dedication of Kudankulum and laying of foundation of K3 and 4, we saw tangible results of India-Russia cooperation in Civil Nuclear Energy."

President Putin and PM Modi witnessed the laying of the foundation of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plants.

Further strides in nuclear coop'n & renewable energy! The leaders witness the found'n laying of new units of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant pic.twitter.com/Dz8o5GuC03

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 15, 2016

New horizons in the #IndiaRussia partnership. PM & Prez Putin witness exchange of 16 agreements and 3 announcements across fields pic.twitter.com/zMtY1rMaqX

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 15, 2016

Russia and India signed a $1 billion "complex agreement" for setting up a joint facility for production of 200 Kamoc helicopters besides a deal for four naval frigates, the purchase of five system of S400 Triumf air defence systems that will cost over US $5 billion. The two countries also signed a dozen agreements in the field of defence, technology and energy.

Goa: Signing of Memorandums of Understanding between India and Russia #BRICS2016 pic.twitter.com/J00g4SRJFC

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

On Friday, Russia and India had finalised a general framework agreement and credit protocol for setting up units five and six at the Kudankulam nuclear plant. 

President Xi Jinping arrived in Goa as Tibetan activists protested China's occupation of their country.

Xi will be holding bilateral talks with Modi later in the day.

#BRICSSummit 2016: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Goa, welcomed upon arrival by traditional Indian dancers pic.twitter.com/oBTup5sPl5

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

In a first, Moscow has agreed to pump in US $500 million into the Indian infrastructure space, along with an equal investment by the newly formed National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF), to form a US $1 billion 'Russian Indian Investment Fund'. Read the full report

Goa Police has detained Tibetan activists who were staging protest in Margao against China's illegal occupation of Tibet. The protesters held placards that said 'Free Tibet and end occupation' while calling for China to leave the country.

Goa: Tibetans stage protest in Margao, hold placards with 'Free Tibet and end the occupation' and 'China OUT of Tibet now' slogans pic.twitter.com/O7LUQrWdXG

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

A quiet tete-a-tete before beginning restricted talks. PM @narendramodi and President Putin @KremlinRussia_E meet in the Leaders Lounge pic.twitter.com/9uyh76u39M

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 15, 2016

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Salcette (Goa) #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/vC9tuRW3Vu

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the BRICS summit will begin with an informal dinner. However, before this there will be three important bilateral meets with Russia, South Africa and China. "We expect a very fruitful discussion on various issues. Defence, security issues are going to dominate," Swarup said.

#WATCH Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Goa for the #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/7GvoRz4zqo

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Goa on Saturday morning after his flight was delayed earlier.

Goa: South African President Jacob Zuma arrives in Dabolim city for the #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/d0oybp1UpT

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival in Goa was delayed due to poor visibility with thick fog making it difficult for his plane to land in the coastal state. His flight, which was supposed to land at 3 AM, was rescheduled to 7 AM but even at that time it could not arrive. However, due to security reasons it was not stated as to where his plane has been diverted.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in Goa on Saturday evening.

The US has welcomed the efforts of BRICS countries to engage in global issues of importance. "US welcomes BRICS effort of constructive engagement," a State Department spokesman said.

People from the Tibetan community had protested outside the Chinese embassy in Delhi on Friday opposing the visit of President Xi Jinping in Goa.

On Saturday, Tenzing Jimmy, President of TYC​, told ANI that the Goa police had detained their activists for staging a protest against China's illegal occupation of Tibet.

Goa: Brazilian President Michel Temer arrives in Dabolim city for the #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/EGosQuZqWC

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 15, 2016

Talks with China

Issues such as India's NSG membership bid and China blocking UN ban on JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar are likely to be raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang on Friday said that there was no change in China's stand on India's NSG membership bid and New Delhi's attempts to get Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN. The spokesperson said relations between India and China made "great headway" despite some "disputes" but there was no change in Beijing's stand on the issues of NSG and Azhar.

Geng said China maintains that 1267 Committee of the UN designated to ban terrorist outfits should work on true facts and make a decision according to consensus of its members.

On the NSG issue, the spokesperson said, "China's position has not changed regarding the joining of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) by India."

Talks with Russia

At the 17th India-Russia Bilateral Summit, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin. Delivery of advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to New Delhi and counterterrorism will be high on their agenda.

Both nations are set to sign several agreements to give a fillip to their defence and nuclear cooperation. India and Russia will sign a "complex agreement" for production of 200 Kamov 226T helicopters domestically under a nearly US $1 billion deal to replace the country's ageing Cheetah and Chetak choppers, a deal on naval frigates is also likely.

The two countries have finalised a general framework agreement and credit protocol for setting up units five and six at the Kudankulam nuclear plant. The formal announcement of the pact and the credit protocol is likely to be after the bilateral talks.

Apart from these, energy, infrastructure, railways, agriculture, hi-tech among others will also dominate the agenda.