'Namaskar Modi ji': South African Cricket Legends Jonty Rhodes, Gary Kirsten Welcome PM Ahead Of BRICS Summit

BRICS Summit 2023: Jonty Rhodes said PM Modi had a massive role on the international political and economic scene as he welcomed him for the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.

South African cricket legends Gary Kirsten and Jonty Rhodes ( Image Source :ANI/Screengrab )

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, South African cricket legends Jonty Rhodes and Gary Kirsten released video messages welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. PM Modi is set to visit South Africa for the BRICS Summit to be held from August 22 to 24 in Johannesburg.

Welcoming Modi in Hindi, Jonty Rhodes said the PM had a massive role on the international political and economic scene.

"Namaskar Modi ji. Welcome to the BRICS conferance. We know as South Africans that you have a massive role on the international political and economic scene and we thank you for your inputs," Rhodes said.

Former Indian team coach Gary Kirsten, under whom India won the 2011 World Cup, said, "My privilege to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa. I have been very fortunate to spend lots of time in India during my playing and coaching career. I also have many fun memories during my time coaching team India and was so grateful for the support of Indian people. This year will also be very special for global cricket when the World Cup returns to India. Wish you and all global leaders for the upcoming BRICS summit."

Apart from PM Modi, the summit will be attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the host, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit. He will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Multiple sources told ABP Live that several crucial decisions were expected to be taken this year, including BRICS's expansion, opening the doors for the African Union, as well as boosting business transactions and trade in local currencies.

The summit  will also see some major steps being taken in terms of laying down guidelines for expansion based on which new members will be added to the group, according to a top-ranking official.