Visakhapatnam Hosts BRICS Youth & Sports Ministers Meeting
Visakhapatnam hosts 11 BRICS member nations for high-level Youth and Sports Ministers meetings under India's 2026 chairship.
VISAKHAPATNAM — The coastal city of Visakhapatnam became the focal point for international multilateral diplomacy on Saturday as it hosted the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting and the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting under India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026. The two-day high-level ministerial summit brings together government ministers, policy architects, and diplomatic delegations from all 11 BRICS member states: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
The international summit launched with a cultural and environmental visit to the ancient Buddhist archaeological complex at Thotlakonda, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Visiting foreign dignitaries toured the third-century BCE monastic ruins, gaining direct insight into Andhra Pradesh’s historical maritime and spiritual heritage, followed by a joint ceremonial sapling plantation drive organized by state host authorities.
