PM Modi concludes five-nation tour: Major takeaways and benefits for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on July 9 after completing an eight-day tour of five countries: Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. This was Modi’s longest foreign trip since becoming Prime Minister in 2014. During the visit, he took part in the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil and signed many important agreements related to digital payments, minerals, defence, and support for the Indian community living abroad.

Focus on the Global South

All five countries visited are part of what is known as the Global South—nations that are still developing and often not given enough attention by powerful countries. India used this opportunity to strengthen ties by offering affordable technology, digital services, and financial help. This also helped India stand out as a reliable partner, unlike other countries that give high-interest loans.

A big achievement was in Namibia, which became the first country in the world to approve India’s UPI digital payment system. India also promised to help these countries with technology training, soft loans, and digital infrastructure.

Modi receives five top honours
During the tour, PM Modi was honoured by four countries with their highest civilian awards, and received a symbolic city-level honour in Argentina. This shows the increasing respect and recognition India is getting on the global stage. The honours include:

• Ghana: Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana

• Trinidad and Tobago: Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

• Brazil: Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross

• Namibia: Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis

• Argentina: Key to the City of Buenos Aires

PM Modi has now received 27 international honours, the most by any Indian Prime Minister.

UPI goes global

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) took a big step forward with Namibia officially adopting the system. Talks were also held with Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina for similar partnerships.

This is part of India’s effort to promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which helps other countries achieve financial inclusion. This move also positions India as a global leader in real-time digital payments.

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Important outcomes at BRICS Summit
At the BRICS Summit in Brazil, India pushed for key issues such as:

• Reforms in global institutions

• Responsible use of AI

• Food and energy security

• Counter-terrorism cooperation

India succeeded in getting the Pahalgam terror attack mentioned in the final declaration. Modi also had bilateral talks with Brazil’s President, which led to agreements on agriculture research, digital tools, renewable energy, and security. India and Brazil agreed to set up a special team to track trade and investment.

Country-wise achievements

Ghana (July 2–3)

• First Indian Prime Minister to visit in over 30 years

• Ties upgraded to “Comprehensive Partnership”

• Deals signed on digital finance, traditional medicine, and quality standards

• Agreed to double trade to ₹25,000 crore

• Modi addressed Ghana’s Parliament and received its top honour

Trinidad and Tobago (July 3–4)

• First Indian PM visit since 1999

• Modi addressed joint session of Parliament

• OCI card eligibility extended to sixth-generation Indians

• Donated 2,000 laptops to schools

• Signed deals in medicine, sports, and cultural training

• Received the country’s highest award

Argentina (July 4–5)

• First visit by an Indian PM in 57 years

• Discussed cooperation on minerals, energy, defence, and pharmaceuticals

• Argentina showed interest in Indian UPI system and vaccines

• Modi received Key to the City of Buenos Aires

• India urged for expanding the Mercosur trade agreement

Brazil (July 5–7)

• Took part in BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro

• Signed agreements on defence, clean energy, and agricultural innovation

• Terror attack in Kashmir included in final statement

• Brazil’s highest civilian award given to Modi

• Support gained for India’s stand on international reforms

Namibia (July 8–9)

• First Indian PM to address Namibia’s Parliament

• UPI licensing deal signed – a first globally

• Namibia joined India-led global groups on disaster resilience and biofuels

• Deals on health and business support signed

• Modi received top civilian honour

In Trinidad, Modi celebrated 180 years of Indian presence in the Caribbean. He called the Indian-origin community a “living bridge” between the two countries. India promised to help train religious and cultural leaders in the region.

Modi also became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the parliaments of Ghana, Trinidad, and Namibia, bringing his total to 17 foreign parliamentary speeches, matching the combined record of all previous Congress Prime Ministers.
This tour shows that India is now being seen as a dependable partner by many countries in the Global South. India offered clean and fair alternatives to Chinese debt-based development. The visit strengthened diplomatic ties, helped promote Indian technology like UPI, and created goodwill that will benefit India’s global role in the future.