Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi for the 18th Brics Summit, joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a high-profile gathering focused on expanding cooperation among emerging economies.
The summit, beginning on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam, brings together leaders from Brics member countries and partner nations amid shifting global power dynamics and intensifying geopolitical competition.
Putin landed in New Delhi early Friday, marking his first in-person participation in a Brics summit outside Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
He was received at the airport by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Welcoming the Russian leader, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said on X that India and Russia share a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” rooted in a longstanding relationship.
Modi and Putin are scheduled to hold extensive bilateral discussions on Friday afternoon. A high-level Russian delegation is accompanying Putin.
Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday morning, with expectations of a possible meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
The gathering will also be attended by other world leaders, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.
The summit comes as Brics members seek a greater role in global economic and diplomatic affairs. Discussions are expected to focus on cooperation among member states, trade, investment, energy security and wider geopolitical challenges.
India-Russia defence cooperation is also expected to feature prominently during Putin’s visit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the two countries were considering upgrades to enhance the operational capabilities of the BrahMos cruise missile.
The Modi-Putin talks are expected to cover defence cooperation, including delivery timelines for the remaining S-400 air defence systems and possible proposals involving advanced fighter aircraft such as the Su-57.
The main sessions of the 18th Brics Summit will continue from Saturday to Sunday. Putin is scheduled to address the plenary session of the Brics Business Forum and visit the Innoprom exhibition with Modi.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Russian president will hold separate bilateral meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Delhi has been placed under a multi-layer security arrangement for the summit. More than 15,000 police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed across the capital, supported by more than 500 CCTV cameras and extensive traffic restrictions.
The summit is also taking place amid sensitive regional developments involving Bangladesh. Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina remains in India, from where she has made allegations against the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Tarique, who was invited as the Bimstec chair, has decided not to attend the Brics Summit amid these developments.
Observers are watching whether issues related to Bangladesh and broader South Asian stability feature in discussions among the leaders.
