The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the BRICS Leaders and South American Leaders in Brasilia, Brazil on July 16, 2014.

Prime Minister´s statement at BRICS meeting with South American leaders

Your Excellencies, the Presidents of BRICS countries

Your Excellencies, the Presidents of South American Countries

Distinguished Delegates

I thank Brazil, for providing this opportunity, to interact with leaders, from South American countries. I am grateful, to Your Excellencies, for sparing your valuable time, to meet us today. South America, has tremendous potential. It is blessed, with vast resources and talent. It can become an important pillar of the global economy. In the face of economic uncertainty its growth can be crucial for global prosperity. In a globalised and inter-connected world, our destinies are inter-linked. We are all bound, by shared aspirations and common challenges. We all have a stake in each other`s success. Distance is not a barrier to opportunities. It also does not, insulate us from challenges in other parts of the world.

Thus, we must all unite:

To seek faster growth and newer avenues of generating prosperity.

To find solutions to the challenge of poverty.

To preserve our environment, and use our resources well.

Our discussions today should throw up new ideas for partnership between BRICS and South America. BRICS nations have already started a new chapter in this with the BRICS New Development Bank. This will open up newer opportunities of cooperation.

Excellencies, India and South America share a deep bond.

Authors and poets, like Octavio Paz, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Pablo Neruda are popular in India. Similarly, our national poet, Rabindranath Tagore, is widely loved here. South America is also home to a large number of Indians, many of whom came centuries ago. Generations later, they remain a strong bridge of friendship,.