Putin attends Brics summit in India amid Iran and Ukraine wars spotlight

What happened

Russian president Vladimir Putin has arrived in Delhi to attend an 11-member Brics summit expected to be dominated by wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, according to The Guardian Ukraine. The event includes Russia, Iran, China, and other new members such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Putin’s visit will feature talks with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is also set to attend, marking his first visit to India since 2019 amid a recent cautious thaw after a deadly border clash six years ago. Despite signs of improved ties, tensions and mistrust remain between India and China.

The summit highlights the complex dynamics within Brics, notably the challenge of reaching consensus, as witnessed by the foreign ministers’ failure to issue a joint statement in May. The Iran war in particular poses a test for group cohesion, given the divergent positions among Gulf members and broader strategic rivalries.

Known from the source

• Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi ahead of an 11-member Brics summit.
• The Brics summit will be dominated by the wars in Iran and Ukraine, and economic issues.
• Putin is scheduled to meet Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi.
• Chinese leader Xi Jinping will attend the summit, his first visit to India since 2019.
• Brics has expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

What remains unclear

India’s balancing act is key, as it maintains cordial relations with both Iran and Israel, while managing its ties with Washington. Energy needs driven by the Iran conflict have seen India lean on Russia, intensifying scrutiny on Moscow’s alliances amid its war in Ukraine. Putin’s presence underscores Russia’s continued efforts to engage key partners amid ongoing sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

What remains unclear: Verify the official outcomes and statements from Putin’s talks at the Brics summit regarding Ukraine and Iran wars. Confirm any significant shifts in the positions or alliances of Brics members concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Check accuracy of detailed accounts about Xi’s visit and the state of India-China relations presented here. Ensure all quoted names and titles are correct and consistently applied.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: The Guardian Ukraine. Open the source.