Putin Arrives in India for BRICS Summit Amid Global Tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the BRICS summit highlights ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Putin is set to meet with Indian PM Modi and Iranian President Pezeshkian during the summit.
The BRICS summit will focus on geopolitical tensions, particularly the Gulf conflict and the war in Ukraine.
India is balancing its relations with Iran, Israel, and the US while navigating energy supply challenges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit, which is expected to be overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The summit, featuring 11 member nations, will see discussions focused on economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.
Putin's arrival at Palam Air Force Station was marked by a warm welcome from India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh. Streets in New Delhi were adorned with posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while extensive security measures were implemented across the city, including traffic restrictions. Delhi police have requested the public's cooperation during this high-profile event.
The BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established in 2009 to amplify the voices of major emerging economies. The group has since expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, each holding varying perspectives on the ongoing US-Israel conflict regarding Iran. Analysts suggest that the Gulf conflict will be a significant topic during this summit, with experts noting that the expansion of BRICS may now present challenges rather than benefits.
This summit marks the first visit to India by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the Middle East conflict's prominence on the agenda. The visit is particularly notable as it is Pezeshkian's first as president and the first for an Iranian leader in eight years. Analysts warn that the ongoing war in Iran could test the unity of the expanded BRICS group, especially following a previous failure to reach a consensus among foreign ministers in May.
As India navigates its relationships with Iran, Israel, and the US, it has turned to Russia for energy supplies amid the crisis caused by the Iran conflict. Putin's last visit to India was in December 2025, and he recently met Modi in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend, marking his first visit to India since 2019, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two nations following past military tensions. Despite recent warming ties, significant mistrust remains due to territorial disputes and trade imbalances.
