Vladimir Putin: New Delhi is hosting a guest list it hasn’t seen in years. As the 18th BRICS Summit kicks off, Putin and Xi Jinping land in the capital within 48 hours of each other, with Su-57 talks and Xi’s first India visit in seven years on the table. Here’s what makes it historic.
1. Putin’s Visit Comes With Big-Ticket Defence Talks
Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit ahead of his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with trade, energy, and defence topping the agenda. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that India and Russia are exploring BrahMos missile upgrades.
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2. Xi Jinping Returns To India After Seven Years
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip marks his first visit to India in seven years, a gap shaped by the deadly 2020 Ladakh clash on the Line of Actual Control. While no separate full-format Modi-Xi bilateral has been scheduled this time, the two leaders have steadily rebuilt engagement through meetings in Kazan.
3. The Global Backdrop Makes This No Ordinary Summit
This year’s gathering unfolds amid a global economy under strain from the Russia-Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
4. A Star-Studded Leader Lineup
Beyond Putin and Xi, the summit brings together Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Vietnamese PM Le Minh Hung.
5. India’s Chairship Sets A New Theme
India is hosting under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” positioning itself as a bridge between competing global blocs. Putin is also set to address the Plenary Session of the BRICS Business Forum and visit the Innoprom exhibition alongside Modi, adding an economic dimension to the diplomatic spectacle.
