Putin arrives in India for BRICS summit amid war tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Friday, arriving at Palam Air Force Station to kick off an 11‑day BRICS summit that will focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as looming economic problems. His arrival follows a brief stop in Bishkek earlier in the month, and comes at a time when the bloc’s expanded membership includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—countries that hold very different views on the U.S.–Israel‑Iran conflict. The summit will be held amid intense security measures, with heavy police presence, traffic restrictions and posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lining the streets.

BRICS, originally founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, was created to give emerging economies a stronger voice in institutions dominated by Western powers. Over the years it has grown to include seven new members, but the recent expansion has exposed deep divisions. Analysts say that the Gulf war will become the main fault line during the meeting, turning the group from a symbol of global influence into a potential source of friction. The foreign ministers of the bloc failed to agree on a joint statement last month in New Delhi, underscoring the growing strain.

Putin will hold talks with Modi, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is making his first visit to India as president in eight years. Chinese President Xi Jinping will also meet Modi on the sidelines of the summit, marking Xi’s first trip to India since 2019. The three leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, from energy security to regional stability. Security forces have deployed across the capital, and the police urge commuters to be patient as traffic snarls in central districts. Observers note that India’s diplomatic balancing act—maintaining ties with both Iran and Israel while keeping Washington at arm’s length—will be on full display.

The summit’s outcome will test the cohesion of the expanded BRICS bloc. If the members can agree on a unified stance, it could signal a new era of cooperation among emerging powers. If not, the group may become fragmented, weakening its influence on global economic and security matters. For India, the meeting is a chance to showcase its diplomatic reach and to navigate the complex web of alliances that define the current geopolitical landscape.