Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Friday to attend the BRICS summit, a gathering of the diplomatic bloc that convenes this weekend amid profound global geopolitical turbulence, from the conflict in the Middle East to the war in Ukraine.
The summit brings together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine set to be at the center of discussions. Putin is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the main sessions, as the three leaders navigate a rapidly shifting international landscape.
The meeting comes at a time when the BRICS bloc has sought to position itself as an alternative to Western-dominated institutions, advocating for a multipolar world order. For Putin, the summit offers a platform to demonstrate that Russia retains influential partners despite the sanctions imposed by Western nations over its invasion of Ukraine. India, which has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy and refrained from condemning the Russian invasion, continues to balance its longstanding ties with Moscow against its growing partnership with the United States and its role in the Quad grouping.
China's Xi Jinping, meanwhile, is likely to use the occasion to advance Beijing's vision of a global order less centered on American power. The discussions on Iran are expected to focus on the broader regional instability triggered by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Iran's nuclear program and its support for proxy groups across the Middle East. The war in Ukraine will also feature prominently, with Putin likely to brief his counterparts on Russia's position and seek to shore up diplomatic support.
The BRICS summit has taken on added significance as the bloc considers expanding its membership, with dozens of countries expressing interest in joining. This expansion debate reflects a broader dissatisfaction among many developing nations with the existing international financial and political architecture, which they argue does not adequately represent their interests. The outcome of this weekend's discussions could shape the future direction of the bloc and its ability to act as a cohesive counterweight to Western powers.
For India, hosting the summit is an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic reach and its capacity to engage with both Western and non-Western powers. Modi's government has positioned itself as a voice for the Global South, advocating for reforms in multilateral institutions and for greater attention to the development needs of poorer nations. However, India's continued engagement with Russia has drawn criticism from Western capitals, particularly as the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight.
The presence of Putin in India also underscores the resilience of the Russia-India relationship, which dates back to the Cold War era. Despite pressure from the United States and Europe, New Delhi has continued to purchase Russian oil and arms, arguing that its national interests require maintaining diverse partnerships. The summit is expected to yield bilateral meetings that could further cement these ties, even as India seeks to diversify its energy sources and defense suppliers.
As the leaders gather, the global backdrop remains fraught. The conflict in the Middle East has raised fears of a wider regional war, while the war in Ukraine continues to exact a heavy humanitarian toll. The BRICS summit thus serves as a critical moment for these major emerging economies to coordinate their responses to these crises and to articulate a common vision for international order. Whether they can translate their shared grievances into concrete action remains an open question, but the discussions this weekend will be closely watched by capitals around the world.