Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the 18th BRICS Summit, adding to the growing diplomatic activity in the capital ahead of the two-day meeting. Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before joining other world leaders at the summit on September 12 and 13.
Putin’s visit comes at an important moment for India-Russia relations. The two countries continue to maintain close ties in areas such as energy, defence, trade and investment, even as Russia faces heavy pressure from Western countries over its war in Ukraine.
The Modi-Putin meeting is expected to focus strongly on trade and economic cooperation, along with energy and other strategic issues. Russia has remained one of India’s key energy suppliers, making the relationship particularly important as global oil prices have surged amid the continuing conflict in West Asia.
The Russian president’s visit also comes against the backdrop of growing pressure on India’s purchase of Russian oil. New Delhi has continued to balance its longstanding partnership with Moscow with its expanding ties with the United States and other Western economies.
Xi Jinping’s India return adds weight
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also travelling to India for the BRICS summit, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. His presence, along with Putin’s, makes the New Delhi summit particularly important for India’s foreign policy.
A meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping is expected on the sidelines of the summit. The two leaders are likely to review the progress made in stabilising India-China relations after years of military tensions along the disputed Himalayan border.
Economic issues are also expected to feature in the discussions. India and China are looking at ways to improve economic engagement while continuing to manage disagreements over trade, market access, investments and border issues.
The possibility of a more structured economic dialogue between the two countries has also gained attention, with issues such as the trade deficit and restrictions affecting businesses expected to be discussed.
BRICS faces a difficult geopolitical test
The BRICS summit is taking place at a time when the expanded group is facing major differences over the war in Iran and the wider Middle East crisis.
The conflict has disrupted oil supplies and pushed crude prices above $100 a barrel, adding pressure to economies around the world. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments, has also come under severe pressure because of the conflict.
The situation has created a difficult balancing act for BRICS. Iran is now a member of the expanded grouping, while the United Arab Emirates is also part of the bloc. The two countries have ended up on opposing sides of the conflict, making it harder for the group to agree on a common position.
The differences could complicate efforts to produce a joint declaration at the end of the summit. BRICS leaders will have to find language on the Middle East crisis that can be accepted by members with very different interests.
India wants BRICS to focus on cooperation
India, which holds the BRICS chair this year, is expected to push the grouping towards economic cooperation, development, technology, energy security and greater resilience in global supply chains.
The expanded BRICS grouping now has 11 member countries, giving it a much larger economic and political footprint than the original Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping. It represents close to half of the world’s population and around 40% of the global economy on a purchasing-power-parity basis.
India’s approach is also aimed at keeping BRICS from becoming simply an anti-Western platform. New Delhi has maintained strong relationships with Russia and other BRICS members while simultaneously deepening its strategic partnership with the US and other Western countries.
The summit will therefore test India’s ability to balance competing interests while presenting BRICS as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies.
Trade, energy and global economy in focus
Economic issues are expected to remain at the heart of the discussions. BRICS members are looking at ways to increase trade, strengthen supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities caused by disruptions in global markets.
The bloc is also discussing greater use of local currencies and independent payment mechanisms in international trade, although differences between members make deeper financial integration difficult.
Energy security will receive particular attention because of the current oil shock. India is heavily dependent on imported crude, while Russia remains a major supplier. Any prolonged disruption in global oil flows could have consequences for inflation, currencies and economic growth across BRICS economies.
Delhi turns into diplomatic hub
The arrival of Putin and the expected arrival of Xi have turned New Delhi into a major diplomatic hub. Security has been tightened across the capital, while traffic restrictions and diversions have been introduced around key routes and the summit venue.
The summit is being held on September 12 and 13, with leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping expected to discuss global governance, economic cooperation, energy and food security, technology and major geopolitical conflicts.
Attention will now remain firmly on the Modi-Putin and Modi-Xi meetings, particularly their discussions on trade, energy and bilateral ties.
Putin‘s arrival also gives the summit a strong India-Russia dimension. Xi’s visit adds another layer, coming at a time when India and China are trying to stabilise their relationship.
The challenge for India will be to use the BRICS platform to advance its economic and strategic interests while keeping the expanded group together despite deep differences over the wars, global trade and relations with the West.
