Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for crucial Delhi summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi early Friday for his three-day visit to attend the 18th BRICS Summit. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh welcomed him at the airport. This marks his first in-person appearance at a BRICS gathering outside his home country since the Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022.
Bilateral Meetings and Economic Forums
Leaders from around the world are currently facing severe economic strain from ongoing geopolitical conflicts and trade barriers. Against this backdrop, Putin will begin his official schedule by addressing the BRICS Business Forum plenary session. Later today, he sits down with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for targeted bilateral talks. Both leaders will explore ways to expand their partnership across energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, and technology sectors. They will also walk through the Innoprom exhibition together, an event organized by their respective industry ministries.
Global Leaders Converge On Indian Capital
Official summit programming kicks off on September 12. Visiting delegates will evaluate Indian proposals designed to boost regional security, financial cooperation, and cultural ties. Several prominent figures have already arrived to participate in these critical dialogues. The guest list features Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are also attending.
Sunday will feature an expanded gathering that brings together member delegations, partner nations, and leaders of international organizations. Putin plans to conduct focused sideline discussions with heads of state from Malaysia, Egypt, and South Africa. While no formal long-form discussion is currently scheduled between Putin and Xi Jinping, diplomats anticipate a brief informal exchange in the hallways.
Photo Courtesy: ANI
