Following is the text of the Prime Minster’s departure statement :

“I leave today on a visit to China and Kazakhstan.

In China, I will attend the BRICS Leaders Meeting in Sanya being hosted by President Hu Jintao. This is the third Summit of the BRICS grouping since the first stand alone meeting in 2009. This meeting will see the participation for the first time of South Africa. India welcomes South Africa’s membership of BRICS, which will provide an African perspective to our deliberations.

I look forward to a wide ranging exchange of views with the BRICS leaders on the state of the world economy and the contribution which BRICS can make in sustaining the process of global economic and financial recovery. The traditional sources of economic growth are still under stress, even as fresh uncertainties have emerged as a result of recent developments in different parts of the world. If we can coordinate our positions on some key areas such as sustainable development, balanced growth, energy and food security, reform of international financial institutions and balanced trade, that will be to our advantage.

Today all BRICS countries are members of the G 20 and the United Nations Security Council. Our experience of working with each other in these forums has been positive and holds promise. This gives the Sanya Summit, whose theme is “Broad Vision and Shared Prosperity”, special significance.

During my stay in Sanya I look forward to my meeting with President Hu Jintao. The India-China relationship is a key relationship which has now acquired global significance. I will also have bilateral meetings with Presidents of Russia, Brazil and South Africa. Our relations with these countries are very warm and substantive.

From China, I will travel to Kazakhstan on a bilateral visit at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. This will be my first visit to Kazakhstan. It is an important partner of India in a region which has always displayed special empathy and goodwill towards India. I will build upon the successful visit of President Nazarbayev to India in 2009 and seek to expand the frontiers of our cooperation with that great country. There is immense potential for moving forward in areas such as political and security cooperation, trade and investment, energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology and capacity building. My visit signals India’s abiding interest in Central Asia that is rooted in the history and culture of this region.”