BRICS News

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have routinely met in recent years to iron out a mutual approach to ending the Syrian conflict, but relations have soured recently [Xinhua]
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has downplayed hopes of a breakthrough on Syria when he meets his US counterpart John Kerry in Lausanne, Switzerland later on Saturday.
The two are meeting for the first time since their countries engaged in a war of words with each accusing the other of scuttling a ceasefire they both brokered in early September.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Dabolim, Goa, India for the 8th BRICS Summit on 15 October 2016 [Image: MEA, India]
Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa have arrived in the western Indian state of Goa for the 8th BRICS Summit that begins on Saturday.
The group will discuss the global economic and political situation over the next two days.

With a range of 400 kilometers, S-400 Triumf is designed to shield from air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and operating tactical ballistic missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles [Xinhua]
With only hours before the eighth annual BRICS Summit 2016 opens in Goa, India’s defense forces are anticipating the signing of a $5.85 billion deal for five new-generation Russian S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defense missile systems.
The S-400 is believed to be able to engage all types of aerial targets including aircraft and VLO (Very Low Observable) craft.

Goa’s Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has said the BRICS Summit will boost investment in the state. Here he is seen greeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) in August this year [Xinhua]
Leaders of the world’s largest emerging markets will gather in India for the eighth annual BRICS summit on October 15 and 16.
The summit will be a milestone in the history of the Indian state of Goa, said its Chief Minster Laxmikant Parsekar on Thursday.

BRICS is home to 43% of the world’s population [Xinhua]Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to welcome leaders from the BRICS countries to the western Indian state of Goa tomorrow.
Modi, in a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, said the BRICS were “pivotal partners”.

The S400 surface to air missile system is Russia’s most advanced air defense system [Xinhua]
The head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told the local press that Moscow is hoping to sign with India a delivery contract for an advanced air defense system.
FSMTC chief Alexander Fomin said that he would like to see the S-400 surface to air missile battery system delivered to India by the end of this year.
India and Russia have been in talks for the sale of the weapons system for more than a year.

The drills will be the first of their kind for both Egypt and Russia [Xinhua]
An Egyptian Military spokesman announced on Wednesday that Egypt will be hosting Russian paratroopers who will participate in a nine-day joint military exercise along the Mediterranean coast this month.
The exercise, called Protectors of Friendship 2016, is the first its kind between the two countries and will focus on deployment of troops, equipment and vehicles, and the exchange of experiences between special forces, Egyptian state media reported.

6th BRICS Trade Ministers meet in New Delhi, India on 13 October 2016 [Image: Commerce Ministry, India]At a key meeting of the BRICS Trade Ministers in New Delhi on Thursday, comprehensive deliberations were held on cooperation in key economic sectors, the Indian Commerce Ministry said.
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hosted her BRICS counterparts: Russia’s Denis Manturov, China’s Vice Minister for Commerce and Finance Wang Shouwen, South Africa’s Trade Minister Rob Davies and Brazil’s Foreign Trade Minister Marcos Pereira.

Initial preparations are well on track,” Samaranch said on Wednesday
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given China a thumbs-up assessment of its preparations for the 24th Winter Olympics to be held in 2022.
The IOC’s Coordination Commission just wrapped up its first visit to Olympic sites in Beijing and reviewed snow and skiing facilities in the Zhangjiakou zone located in the Chongli District near the capital.
International Ski Federation (FIS) secretary general Sarah Lewis was one of the high profile delegates visiting Beijing’s facilities.

Putin was last in Paris in December 2015 to meet with Hollande over means to reach a climate control agreement [Xinhua]
Russian President Vladimir Putin has canceled a planned visit to France after President Francois Hollande shortened the program for the trip and said he would only hold talks on Syria.
Putin was set to inaugurate a new Russian Orthodox cathedral and visit a Russian art exhibition in Paris on October 19, but the Kremlin confirmed that the visit has now been postponed.