Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his longest overseas diplomatic visit in nearly a decade on July 2, beginning in Ghana. This is his first trip to the West African nation as prime minister and the first Indian PM visit to Ghana in almost 30 years.
During his two-day visit in Accra, Modi will sit with President John Dramani Mahama, who took office recently after winning a landslide election. The two leaders will discuss strengthening bilateral relations, including discussing the setting up of a vaccine hub in Ghana. Other important agenda points are cooperation in agriculture, defence, and strategic minerals.
A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are to be signed. India and Ghana established diplomatic relations in 1957, just after Ghana gained independence. India had established a representative office in Accra still earlier, in 1953.
Two-way trade amounted to $3.13 billion in 2024-25. India ranks as Ghana’s third-largest investor, with imports of gold, petroleum and cashews and exports of medicines, automobiles and construction equipment.
Trinidad and Tobago: Diaspora and Digital Rejuvenation
Modi will travel to Trinidad and Tobago on July 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Both Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo are of Indian origin.
This marks Modi’s first bilateral visit to the Caribbean nation as PM, with the last such Indian prime ministerial visit dating back to 1999. Talks will cover pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and disaster resilience.
Trinidad and Tobago embraced India’s UPI system last year. Modi will speak to a joint sitting of parliament, emphasizing the close cultural linkages. The visit also coincides with the 180th anniversary of Indian indentured laborers arriving in the country.
Diplomatic ties were established in 1962, and in 1997, a trade agreement gave both nations Most Favoured Nation status. Bilateral trade was $341.61 million in 2023-24. India exports automobiles, drugs, and iron items and imports mineral fuels, aluminium, and waxes.
Argentina: First Indian PM Visit in Over 50 Years
On July 4, Modi will visit Argentina on an invitation from President Javier Milei. This is the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the nation since 1968.
The two leaders will have in-depth discussions on food security, defence, infrastructure, digital technology, telemedicine, and renewable energy. Mining, which is already emerging as a field of increasing cooperation, will be the focus point.
Modi and Milei had earlier interacted at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2024. India and Argentina upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2019. Two-way trade reached $6.4 billion in 2022, with India being Argentina’s fourth-largest trading partner. India sells chemicals, two-wheelers and drugs, and buys soybean oil, leather and cereals.
Brazil: Brics Summit and Strategic Talks
Modi will reach Brazil on July 6 to take part in the Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro and later conduct a state visit. He is making his fourth visit to the nation.
At the summit, the leaders will discuss governance, climate, artificial intelligence, and counterterrorism — including India’s reaction to the recent Pahalgam attack. Modi will be a part of the Leaders’ Declaration and urge action on climate finance and health.
He will sit with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on July 8 to strengthen cooperation in energy, defense, agriculture and digital infrastructure.
India and Brazil have diplomatic relations since 1948. With bilateral trade at $12 billion, Brazil is India’s top trading partner in South America. India exports petroleum products, drugs and yarn, and imports crude oil, sugar, cotton, and chemicals.
Namibia: Last Destination to Enhance Mineral and Digital Partnership
Modi will visit Namibia on July 9–10 as a conclusion to his tour. The trip, at the invitation of President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is his first PM visit to Namibia in almost 30 years and the third PM visit ever.
Bilateral discussions will center on the adoption of UPI and enhancing fintech collaborations. Modi is also set to speak at Namibia’s Parliament and honor founding leader Dr Sam Nujoma.
India stood in support of Namibia’s independence in the United Nations. Bilateral trade in 2023 amounted to $650 million. Major Indian exports consist of refined petroleum, rice, and pharmaceuticals, while major importations from Namibia are diamonds and minerals. Namibia also hosts significant deposits of uranium, copper, and phosphates—elements critical in diversifying India’s energy supplies.
In 2022, Namibia exported eight cheetahs to India under a species revival scheme for Kuno National Park.
