everyside
BRICS · India

Modi meets Ethiopian and Malaysian leaders at BRICS

12 sourcesUpdated 12 Sept 2026, 7:18 am Coverage regionsIndia
CATCH ME UP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi.

Government sources said the meetings focused on defence cooperation, investment, strategic partnerships, trade, and broader regional and global issues.

Ethiopia expressed interest in expanding defence cooperation and Indian investment, including in the mining sector.

Malaysia discussed semiconductor cooperation, infrastructure, the digital economy, and defence ties with India.

Why it mattersThey show India using the BRICS summit to advance ties and influence multilateral diplomacy.
More context

Malaysia is attending the summit as a Partner Country, following an invitation from Modi.

AGREEMENT VS DISAGREEMENT

What lines up. What splits.

A quick read on shared facts, changing details, and different emphasis.

What coverage agrees on

All of the reporting agrees that Modi met the Ethiopian and Malaysian leaders at the BRICS summit and that the talks centered on strengthening bilateral ties. The coverage also consistently points to defence, investment, and economic cooperation as the main themes.

What is changing or disputed

What the talks will produce is not yet clear from the available reporting, and the articles do not provide any signed agreements or concrete follow-up outcomes. Details on how the discussions will translate into next steps remain limited to the statements cited in the coverage.

HOW COVERAGE DIFFERS

Same story. Different emphasis.

Swipe through the perspectives. Labels describe coverage framing, not truth or quality.

Supportive4

Supportive coverage frames the meetings as a positive step for India's outreach and partnerships. It says both Ethiopia and Malaysia showed interest in deeper defence ties, including joint training, equipment procurement, and broader cooperation. One report highlights Ethiopian interest in Indian mining companies and Malaysian interest in semiconductor collaboration and defence systems. Another says the meetings put bilateral relations on a new trajectory.

Distinctive emphasis — reported claim, not independently verified.Sources: News9live
Neutral4

Neutral coverage reports that Modi met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the BRICS summit. It says the India-ethipia and India-Malaysia talks covered strategic partnerships, economic cooperation, defence, security, trade, and regional and global issues. The reporting also notes that the UN discussion included multipolarity and UN Security Council reforms. One account places the summit in the context of 11 BRICS member countries gathering in New Delhi.

Distinctive emphasis — reported claim, not independently verified.Sources: Anadolu Ajansı
STORY TIMELINE

How the coverage developed

The latest eight dated reports, from earliest to newest.

GO DEEPER

Read the reporting

Scan each source take, then open the original article.

News9live Supportive framing Reported

PM Modi holds talks with Ethiopia, Malaysia PMs; pushes defence and investment ties

Quick source take

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted separate meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Government sources reported that the talks emphasized defense cooperation, investment, and strategic partnerships. Malaysia is participating as a Partner Country following an invitation from Modi, with discussions also touching upon regional and international developments and upcoming engagements in Kerala.

Hindustan Times Supportive framing Provisional rating

Ethiopia, Malaysia eye strong defence, business ties with India after Modi meet at BRICS | India News

Quick source take

Hindustan Times reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia and Malaysia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. According to government sources, both nations expressed a strong desire to enhance defence cooperation, joint training, and equipment procurement with India. Additionally, Ethiopia welcomed Indian mining companies to expand economic ties, while Malaysia discussed technological and semiconductor collaboration with India as part of a wider push for partnerships across the Global South.

The Times of India Supportive framing Provisional rating

Malaysia, Ethiopia for stronger defence cooperation with India as PM meets leaders

Quick source take

The Times of India details Prime Minister Narendra Modi meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during the BRICS summit. Government sources attributed a new trajectory in bilateral relations to these talks, highlighting mutual interests in defence cooperation, joint personnel training, and procurement. The article notes that Ethiopia welcomed Indian mining investments, and discussions with Malaysia covered semiconductor industry opportunities as well as reviewing progress from previous diplomatic visits.

DNA India Supportive framing Reported

After meeting Modi at BRICS, Ethiopia and Malaysia push for closer defence, business ties with India

Quick source take

DNA India reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate bilateral meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia and Malaysia during the BRICS summit. Government sources indicated that discussions centered on expanding defence cooperation, military training, investment, and emerging technologies. The article notes Ethiopia's interest in economic engagement and mining investment, alongside Malaysia's exploration of semiconductor cooperation and defense systems like the BrahMos missile, reflecting India's growing outreach to the Global South.

Anadolu Ajansı Neutral framing Reported

India’s Modi holds talks with Malaysian, Ethiopian premiers, UN chief ahead of BRICS summit

Quick source take

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, the discussions focused on strengthening strategic partnerships, economic cooperation, defense, security, trade, and regional and global issues. The meetings also addressed multilateral reforms and sustainable development.

The New Indian Express Neutral framing Reported

Modi raised India's concerns, stressed sensitivity to core issues in talks with China's Xi: MEA

Quick source take

The New Indian Express reports on Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Modi raised Indian concerns and stressed that bilateral ties should be guided by three mutuals of respect, interest, and sensitivity. The article also cites Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding Beijing's perspective on the discussions and the goal of being partners rather than rivals.

Hindustan Times Neutral framing Provisional rating

‘Three mutuals’ should guide India-China ties: PM Modi told Xi Jinping during BRICS bilateral | India News

Quick source take

Hindustan Times covers the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the 18th BRICS Summit. Citing Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the report details how Modi emphasized mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity while raising India's core concerns. The article also notes the context of recent border tensions and disengagement efforts along the Line of Actual Control.

The Tribune Neutral framing Reported

MEA says India-China ties anchored in 3 mutuals: Respect, sensitivity and interest

Quick source take

The Tribune reports on statements from Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit. Jaiswal reiterated that relations must be anchored in mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity. The article highlights India's official stance on maintaining border peace alongside differing readouts from New Delhi and Beijing regarding the discussions.