Putin and Xi arrive in India for BRICS summit as Ukraine, Middle East wars loom

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi on Friday to attend the two‑day BRICS summit, which convenes leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to discuss pressing global issues. The meeting is expected to centre on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as shared economic challenges such as inflation, supply‑chain disruptions and the need for coordinated development strategies.

During the summit, Putin is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Iran’s foreign minister Masoud Pezeshkian, underscoring the bloc’s interest in regional security and diplomatic engagement. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also slated for talks with Modi, reflecting the importance of Sino‑Indian dialogue within the broader BRICS framework. The agenda includes deliberations on trade cooperation, energy security and potential reforms to the international financial architecture.

The New Delhi gathering marks a rare convergence of the five nations’ heads of state amid heightened geopolitical tensions, offering a platform for coordinated responses to the wars in Europe and the Middle East and for exploring joint economic initiatives. Observers note that outcomes from the summit could influence diplomatic postures and multilateral policies in the months ahead.