Putin lands in India for BRICs summit, shadowed by Iran and Ukraine wars

What Happened

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi for an 11-member BRICS summit. The meeting, which includes leaders from China and India, is expected to focus on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. This visit marks the first trip to India for President Pezeshkian since assuming office, occurring amid heightened regional tensions and the expansion of the BRICS bloc to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The summit serves as a critical test for the cohesion of the expanded BRICS bloc, which now encompasses nations with conflicting geopolitical interests regarding the Middle East and the sanctions architecture. The presence of both Russian and Iranian leadership highlights the group's role as a forum for emerging economies seeking to challenge Western-dominated institutional influence, even as internal divisions over regional conflicts threaten to undermine unified policy positions.

Watch For

Monitor for any joint statements or bilateral agreements emerging from the sidelines of the summit, particularly regarding energy cooperation and regional security frameworks. Observers should also watch for signs of diplomatic friction between the expanded member states, given the previous failure of BRICS foreign ministers to reach a consensus on a joint statement during their May meeting in New Delhi.