Putin, Xi to Attend Delhi BRICS Summit Along With Global Leaders
New Delhi is set to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian among the leaders expected to attend, according to sources in the Indian government. The summit comes at a time of geopolitical turbulence, with ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe reshaping alliances. The gathering is being watched closely as both Russia and China seek to expand their influence in the Global South.
BRICS, which began as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its reach to include nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. India is hosting the summit after a gap of five years. The expanded membership has made BRICS a more diverse forum, with new voices from Africa and the Middle East, but also more divergent interests.
Among the heads of state expected in New Delhi are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Prime ministers Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand, and Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia are also likely to attend.
Cuba, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan may be represented by their presidents — Miguel Diaz-Canel, Bola Tinubu, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Brazil, a founding member, is likely to send Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stays back due to domestic commitments. Uganda may send Vice President Jessica Alupo, Vietnam Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and the UAE its Crown Prince, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
On paper, the summit agenda covers trade, development financing, and reform of global institutions. Behind closed doors, however, the Middle East conflict and tensions between Iran and the UAE are expected to dominate. Iran is likely to press for language in the declaration that supports its position on recent strikes and sanctions, making consensus difficult. BRICS operates by consensus, meaning any single delegation can block a joint statement. The summit follows the group's latest expansion, which raised its profile as a counterweight to Western-led institutions.
"The language on West Asia is where the pressure is," a diplomat familiar with the preparations told NDTV. "Everyone has their own red lines." The wording remains under negotiation.
The presence of Putin and Xi adds a delicate diplomatic balancing act for India. Xi is expected to attend with a delegation of about 400 officials, in what would be his first visit to India in seven years, according to Reuters. The visit is seen as a sign of improving ties after the deadly border clashes of 2020, and a potential step towards resolving the border standoff, though no breakthrough is expected. For India, it offers a chance to stabilise relations with its northern neighbour while also engaging with Russia, its long-standing defence partner.
Putin, meanwhile, has called for enhanced trade with India and is expected to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit. At a recent meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Moscow, Putin noted a recovery in trade turnover after a previous dip. India has continued its defence and energy imports from Russia despite pressure from Western capitals, a policy that aligns with its strategic autonomy.
With its expanded membership, BRICS represents a growing call for reform of international institutions, but internal differences often temper its collective voice. The Delhi summit will test whether the grouping can bridge those divides and present a unified vision on global challenges.
