Brazil's Lula Joins BRICS Summit Virtually Amid Medical Advice

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will participate in the BRICS Summit in Kazan via video link due to a medical restriction on long-haul flights. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will head the delegation in his absence. This summit features the inclusion of four new members.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that he will not attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan in person, following medical advice restricting long-haul flights. Instead, he will participate via video link, as confirmed by a statement from his office.

The statement highlighted that President Lula will maintain his regular work schedule in Brasilia and join the meeting from the Planalto Palace. To ensure Brazil's representation, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will lead the Brazilian delegation in Kazan, with his departure scheduled for tonight.

This year's summit will mark the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates to the BRICS group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Concurrently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia for the summit at President Putin's invitation.

(With inputs from agencies.)