PM Modi Arrives in Brazil to Attend G20 Summit Amid Rousing Welcome

Rio de Janeiro: Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who is on a three-nation visit, landed in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on Monday to attend 19th G20 Leers' Summit on November 18 and 19. Prime Minister Modi arrived in South American country on second leg of his three-nation tour after concluding a "productive" visit to Nigeria, where he held bilateral talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and interacted with Indian diaspora.

Announcing Modi's arrival in Brazil, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wrote in a post on X, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend G20 Brazil Summit." It also shared pictures of Modi's welcome at airport.

Upon his arrival, PM Modi also took to X and wrote, "Landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take part in G20 Summit. I look forward to summit deliberations and fruitful talks with various world leers." In Brazil, he will attend 19th G20 Summit as a member of Troika. India is part of G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa.

Beside PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden will also mark ir presence at Rio de Janeiro summit on November 18-19.

In third and final leg of his trip, Modi will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21 at invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It will be first-ever visit of an Indian prime minister to Guyana in more than 50 years.

Modi said in his departure statement on Saturday, "This year, Brazil has built upon India's legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. I will also use opportunity to exchange views on furring bilateral cooperation with several or leers." Induction of 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of G20 and managing to produce a leers' declaration overcoming deep divisions over Ukraine conflict were seen as major milestones of India's G20 presidency last year.

During his visit to Nigeria, Modi was conferred with country's national award, Grand Commander of Order of Niger (GCON), making him only second foreign dignitary to receive distinction.

This was 17th international award conferred on Modi by a country. Queen Elizabeth II is only or foreign dignitary to be conferred with award.

Modi's visit to Nigeria was first trip to West African country by an Indian prime minister after 17 years. 

(With PTI inputs)