Putin Set for BRICS Summit in India, Xi Jinping's Attendance Also Anticipated
Russian President Vladimir Putin is highly likely to participate in the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled to be held in India this September, according to a report from Russia's TASS news agency on Wednesday. The report cited a Kremlin spokesperson who confirmed that while the exact dates for the summit have not been officially announced yet, President Putin would definitely attend the event.
Second Visit in Nine Months
If this visit materializes, it would mark Putin's second trip to India within nine months. His last visit occurred in December for the annual India-Russia summit, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations. In a reciprocal move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit Moscow later this year for the 2026 annual summit, further strengthening bilateral ties.
Chinese President's Expected Participation
The Indian government is also anticipating the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the BRICS summit. As the relationship between India and China continues to improve steadily, Beijing has pledged its support for India's presidency of the BRICS grouping this year. President Xi Jinping is anticipated to visit India specifically for this high-profile summit, which could serve as a significant platform for enhancing Sino-Indian cooperation.
India's BRICS Presidency and Diplomatic Efforts
India currently holds the presidency for BRICS this year and is set to host the grouping's foreign ministers' meeting on May 14-15. In this role, India has been actively working to forge a consensus among the member-states for a joint statement addressing the war in the West Asia region. This effort comes amid complex dynamics within the group.
Challenges in Achieving Unity
Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, have urged India to rally BRICS to express solidarity with Tehran. However, the presence of both Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the group has created obstacles, preventing BRICS from speaking with one unified voice over the ongoing conflict in the region. This divergence highlights the diplomatic challenges India faces in mediating between member states with differing interests.
Key Attendees at Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Ahead of the summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in India. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit India for this preparatory gathering. These high-level engagements underscore the importance of the BRICS forum as a platform for multilateral dialogue and cooperation among emerging economies.
As India prepares to host these significant events, the anticipated attendance of global leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping underscores the country's growing diplomatic clout and its pivotal role in shaping the agenda of the BRICS alliance.
