BRICS Summit: China's President Xi Jinping, PM Narendra Modi, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazil's President Michel Temer and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a group picture in Johannesburg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accorded joined four other leaders in Johannesburg at the BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa. Modi arrived in Johannesburg from Uganda's capital Kampala, the first bilateral tour by an Indian prime minister since 1997.

The theme of this year's summit is 'BRICS in Africa'.

"Celebrating a decade of BRICS towards Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity! PM @narendramodi received by South African President @CyrilRamaphosa ahead of the #BRICS2018 Summit at the Sandton International Convention Centre. #IndiaatBRICS," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

"Good evening South Africa! PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Waterkloof air base to a warm welcome. PM will attend the 10th BRICS Summit and related meetings in Johannesburg and several bilateral meetings on the sidelines," 

Modi received a warm welcome as he arrived on a three-day visit to attend the BRICS Summit on Wednesday evening.

"After successful bilateral visits to Rwanda and Uganda, PM Narendra Modi landed in South Africa to take part in the BRICS Summit," Office of the Prime Minister tweeted.

Modi will attend the 10th edition of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, during which the grouping's leaders are expected to deliberate on global hot-spot issues, international peace and security, global governance and trade issues among others.

He is also expected to meet several leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Here is Modi's BRICS schedule: (All times IST)

03:45 PM: BRICS Open Session Continuation - Adoption of BRICS Johannesburg Declaration - Signing Ceremony
07:30 PM: Bilateral with Turkish President Erdogan
10:00 PM: Bilateral with Chinese President Xi Jinping
12:30 AM (July 27): Bilateral with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Earlier, Modi had visited Rwanda for two days on the first leg of his visit.

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Originally the first four were grouped as "BRIC", before the induction of South Africa in 2010.

India's relations with South Africa date back several centuries. India was at the forefront of the international community in its support to the anti-apartheid movement.

This year marks 25 years since the resumption of India's diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1993. This year also marks the 125th year of the Pietermaritzburg railway station 'incident' involving Mahatma Gandhi.

The South African Indian-origin community numbers around 1.5 million and constitutes about 3 per cent of South Africa's total population.