—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister 

We, as BRICS, are an influential voice in international discourse. It is, therefore, our shared responsibility to shape the international agenda and to do so in a manner that helps developing nations achieve their objectives. As the current chair of the BRICS, India has chosen "Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions" as the summit's theme to mirror the central priorities of the G20 Summit. We've moved BRICS out of a capital city to involve people from all walks of life.

BRICS acts as a vital pillar of hope for this world full of political challenges, safety related challenges and economic challenges.

Our summit next month will not only be an opportunity to deepen ties among ourselves, we will also interact with India's BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) neighbors--Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand--who have been invited for the outreach summit.

(At the BRICS Leaders' Informal Meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Hangzhou Summit on September 4)

Copyedited by Chris Surtees

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