Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi ahead of the 2026 BRICS summit, where wars and economic tensions are expected to dominate discussions.
The 11-member group will meet as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to reshape global politics. Trade disruption, energy security and the future of international finance will also feature prominently.
India is hosting the two-day summit on September 12 and 13. The gathering brings together some of the world’s most influential emerging economies at a time of deep geopolitical uncertainty.
Putin Meets Modi Ahead of BRICS Talks
Putin held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the main summit.
The two leaders discussed political, economic, defence and energy cooperation. They also reviewed India-Russia ties and their countries’ wider engagement through BRICS.
Russia remains one of India’s most important strategic partners. At the same time, New Delhi continues to balance its relationship with Moscow against growing ties with Western countries.
India has also relied heavily on Russian energy supplies while dealing with wider disruptions in global oil markets.
Xi Jinping Returns to India
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the summit.
His visit carries particular importance because it marks his first trip to India since 2019. Relations between the two Asian powers suffered a major setback after a deadly border clash in the Himalayas.
Recently, however, India and China have taken steps toward improving ties. Flights, visas and high-level contacts have gradually resumed.
Nevertheless, serious disagreements remain.
The two countries continue to face tensions over their disputed frontier, trade imbalance and broader strategic competition.
Middle East War Tests BRICS Unity
The conflict involving Iran is expected to become one of the most difficult issues for the expanded BRICS group.
Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are all members of the bloc. Yet they have different interests and positions regarding the conflict.
As a result, reaching common language on the war could prove difficult.
Analysts have warned that the Middle East conflict could expose divisions within BRICS and make it harder for the group to present a united position.
Iran President Pezeshkian Visits India
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also visiting New Delhi for the summit.
It is his first visit to India as Iranian president. He is expected to hold talks with Modi about bilateral relations as well as the wider regional conflict.
India has maintained relations with both Iran and Israel. Therefore, New Delhi faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act as the regional conflict continues.
India has also called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes in the region.
BRICS Faces Growing Internal Divisions
BRICS has expanded considerably since its creation in 2009.
The group now includes 11 members, giving it significant economic and political influence. However, the expansion has also brought together countries with competing interests.
Russia wants BRICS to challenge what it sees as Western dominance in global institutions. Meanwhile, India continues to maintain strong economic and strategic ties with the United States and other Western countries.
China also wants a greater role for BRICS in global affairs.
These different priorities could make consensus harder to achieve.
Ukraine War Remains on the Agenda
The war in Ukraine will also cast a shadow over the summit.
Russia remains under extensive Western sanctions because of the conflict. Yet India has continued to maintain close relations with Moscow.
At the same time, India has repeatedly called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently visited Kyiv. During that visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked India for supporting efforts to end the war.
Trade and Energy Take Center Stage
Beyond geopolitics, BRICS leaders will also focus on economic cooperation.
Global trade has faced growing uncertainty, while conflicts have disrupted shipping routes and energy markets.
India and Russia are seeking to expand their bilateral trade further. Both countries have set a goal of reaching $100 billion in annual trade by 2030.
BRICS members are also exploring ways to strengthen financial cooperation and reduce dependence on Western-dominated systems.
However, major differences remain over how quickly the group should pursue such changes.
Putin India BRICS Summit Highlights New Delhi’s Balancing Act
The Putin India BRICS summit places New Delhi at the center of a complicated diplomatic landscape.
India wants to strengthen its partnership with Russia while improving relations with China. At the same time, it must manage its growing relationship with the United States and other Western powers.
Therefore, Modi faces a difficult balancing act during the summit.
The gathering could produce agreements on trade, energy, technology and finance. However, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East may prove far harder for the expanded bloc to address collectively.
For now, Putin’s arrival has underlined India’s growing importance as a diplomatic meeting point for competing global powers.
