Johannesburg: Women members of the Indian diaspora in South Africa's Johannesburg tied 'Rakhi' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they welcomed him to the country on Tuesday.

Arya Samaj South Africa President Arthi Nanakchand Shanand and a member of the Indian community along with Dr Sarres Padayachee, an author and Cultural Custodian tied 'Rakhi' to the Prime Minister.

Out of the two, Padayachee is a South African citizen as she was born here.

Ahead of PM Modi's arrival in South Africa, Arthi Nanakchand Shanand, President of Arya Samaj South Africa, earlier today had said that the PM sees the world as 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -One earth, one family.

She said, "PM Modi is more like a father figure than a brother figure to us. I feel his presence here makes us feel that we belong...PM Modi sees the world as 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -One earth, one family. With his learnings from the Vedas, he is going to make a big change in South Africa.."

Moreover, Padayachee, while speaking to ANI said, "We have the utmost respect for PM Modi ji because he has certainly contributed towards many changes that will benefit not only India but also South Africa."

Not only the Indian community tied 'Rakhi' but Prime Minister Narendra Modi also received a very special spiritual welcome in South Africa today.

PM Modi arrived in South Africa earlier today, where he will attend the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from August 22-24 at the invitation of the country’s president Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

PM Modi said that he looks forward to holding bilateral meetings with "some of the leaders present in Johannesburg".

"BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system,” the PM said in a statement.

BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The BRICS summit will be held from August 22-24. This will be PM Modi's third visit to South Africa and the trip marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between India and South Africa.

This year's BRICS is under the presidency of South Africa. The theme of this year's summit is: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism."

This will be the first in-person BRICS Summit after three consecutive years of virtual meetings owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.