India is preparing to host the annual BRICS summit this September in New Delhi, as it holds the chairmanship of the group this year. Confirmed to attend is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be present at the summit on September 12-13. This was announced by a Kremlin aide, marking an important gathering of global leaders.
In addition to his participation at the summit, President Putin is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event in New Delhi. Such meetings underscore the importance of the summit in facilitating dialogue among influential nations.
President Putin’s upcoming visit to India will be his first since December 2025, when he attended the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This return highlights the continued engagement between India and Russia within the broader framework of BRICS, which is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Earlier this month, further strengthening ties within the BRICS community, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated in a two-day conclave of member states held in New Delhi. The BRICS bloc has expanded since its inception, now including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, reflecting its growing influence.
The expanded BRICS group represents a significant portion of the global landscape, comprising 11 emerging economies that collectively account for nearly 49.5% of the world’s population, approximately 40% of global GDP, and around 26% of global trade. This summit in New Delhi will serve as a crucial platform for these nations to address common challenges and enhance cooperation.