Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the 18th BRICS summit, as leaders prepare for talks overshadowed by the wars in Iran and Ukraine and growing tensions between major global powers. The summit, being hosted by India on September 12 and 13, comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the expanded 11-member bloc.
Putin’s arrival marks an important moment in India-Russia relations and comes as New Delhi seeks to balance its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow with its growing engagement with the United States and other Western countries. Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with energy, trade, defence and broader economic cooperation expected to feature prominently in their discussions.
The summit is expected to be heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Iran became a full BRICS member in 2024, and the current war has created divisions within the expanded grouping. The United Arab Emirates, another BRICS member, has found itself on the opposite side of the conflict after being targeted by Iranian missiles and subsequently suspending trade and financial transactions with Tehran.
The conflict has also disrupted energy markets, with fighting affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Crude prices have risen above $100 a barrel, adding an economic dimension to the geopolitical crisis that BRICS leaders will have to address.
The war in Ukraine will also remain a major issue at the summit. Russia’s continued military campaign and the differing positions of BRICS members make it difficult for the group to adopt a unified approach. China and Russia have maintained positions that differ significantly from Western governments, while India has continued to pursue a more balanced diplomatic approach, maintaining relations with Moscow while also strengthening ties with Western nations.
One of the biggest challenges for the summit will be reaching agreement on a joint declaration. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has acknowledged that differences between Iran and the UAE are making negotiations over the wording of a joint statement more difficult. However, officials remain hopeful that the participating countries can find language acceptable to all sides.
China’s President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the summit, making the gathering particularly significant for India’s diplomatic relations with both China and Russia. A potential meeting between Modi and Xi could provide an opportunity to further stabilise India-China relations following efforts to reduce military tensions along their disputed Himalayan border.
Beyond the wars and geopolitical tensions, BRICS leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation, trade and ways to reduce dependence on Western-dominated financial systems. The expanded grouping represents a substantial share of the world’s population and economic output, strengthening its ambitions to play a larger role in shaping the global order.
For India, the summit is an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to bring together countries with sharply different interests. With Putin, Xi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian among the key participants, New Delhi will face the difficult task of maintaining consensus while navigating some of the world’s most serious geopolitical conflicts.