India, currently at the helm of the BRICS group, is preparing to welcome leaders for the annual summit scheduled in September. The meeting will take place in New Delhi, gathering heads of state from the influential bloc of emerging economies. A notable attendee will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is confirmed to be visiting India for the summit on September 12-13.
The Kremlin’s aide on international affairs, Yury Ushakov, has confirmed President Putin’s participation in the summit. Alongside his engagement in the main event, Putin is also expected to have a bilateral discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his time in New Delhi. This meeting is set to occur on the sidelines of the summit, indicating the significance of the interactions among these key global players.
President Putin’s upcoming visit marks his return to India after his last trip in December 2025, when he attended the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The relationship between Russia and India remains a focal point of discussion, complementing the broader BRICS agenda. Earlier in the month, New Delhi also hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who participated in a two-day meeting involving BRICS member states, further underlining the active engagement between these nations.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its membership in recent years. In 2024, the group welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025. This expansion reflects the bloc’s growing influence, representing 11 major emerging economies that collectively encompass nearly half of the world’s population, about 40% of global GDP, and approximately 26% of global trade.
The BRICS summit provides a vital platform for these nations to collaborate on economic and political issues. As the host, India is poised to play a crucial role in facilitating discussions and agreements that could have significant global implications. The presence of leaders such as President Putin underscores the importance of this forum in the international arena.