Putin Arrives in India for 18th BRICS Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Putin received a warm welcome at the airport following his arrival in the national capital.

During his visit, Putin is expected to hold a key bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are likely to focus on India-Russia bilateral trade, energy security, local currency transactions and enhanced defence cooperation, including collaboration related to Sukhoi fighter jets.

Ahead of the summit, Putin is also scheduled to address the BRICS Business Forum and visit an exhibition jointly with Prime Minister Modi. His visit comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and evolving geopolitical developments in West Asia, adding significance to the high-level engagement between the two countries.

The 18th BRICS Summit will bring together leaders of major member countries under India’s chairmanship. New Delhi is expected to highlight its priorities in areas such as exports, digital payments, technology and economic cooperation.

India exported goods worth around $82 billion to BRICS countries during the 2025-26 financial year. Increasing exports of pharmaceuticals, engineering products and energy, while improving access to credit for MSMEs, are among India’s key priorities.

India is also expected to promote cross-border trade through local currencies and UPI, along with initiatives such as the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and a Digital Centre of Excellence.

Delhi Police and traffic authorities have made extensive security and traffic arrangements for the summit. Around 7,000 security personnel and 4,800 traffic police personnel have reportedly been deployed to ensure security and smooth movement during the high-profile event.