#News | Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, being hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received President Putin at the airport following his arrival in the national capital.
During his visit, President Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. The discussions are expected to cover key areas of India-Russia cooperation as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.
India assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026, marking its fourth time leading the grouping after chairing it in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 18th BRICS Summit is being held under India’s theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with the grouping focusing on economic cooperation, development, technology, sustainability and global governance.
BRICS was originally formed as BRIC, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, before South Africa joined in 2011. The grouping expanded significantly in 2024 with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates becoming full members.
The expanded grouping brings together major emerging economies and provides India with a key platform to strengthen cooperation among countries of the Global South. The Summit is also expected to see a series of bilateral engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting leaders on issues of mutual interest.
