Key Takeaways

• Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit to address global supply chain disruptions.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President engage in bilateral talks on defense and regional security.
• The summit addresses the West Asia conflict and energy crises, featuring leaders from Iran, UAE, and GCC.
• Multilateral heads including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attend to discuss broader geopolitical stability.

The 18th BRICS summit begins in Delhi this weekend, marking a critical juncture for global diplomacy as major world leaders converge to address intensifying geopolitical tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in the Indian capital on the morning of Friday, September 11, 2026, to participate in the two-day summit. His arrival initiates a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at navigating the complex web of global crises that have emerged recently. According to Russian sources, President Putin is among the top leaders of BRICS members and partner countries scheduled to reach Delhi for this significant gathering.

Upon his arrival, President Putin is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within hours. This early discussion will reportedly focus on defense and other related strategic matters, underscoring the enduring importance of bilateral ties between the two nations amidst a backdrop of global instability. The External Affairs Ministry has confirmed that several other heads of state are also expected to reach Delhi, highlighting the summit's broad scope and international relevance.

Among the confirmed attendees are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. These leaders are arriving in Delhi against the backdrop of a severe global crisis affecting supply chains in both energy and agriculture. The disruptions are largely attributed to ongoing wars in West Asia and Ukraine, which have destabilized trade routes and resource availability worldwide.

The conflict in West Asia, which escalated in February following a joint attack by Israel and the United States on Iran, is anticipated to be a primary topic of discussion. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to attend the summit, marking his first visit to India since assuming office after the death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash in 2024. This visit carries significant symbolic weight, representing a new chapter in Iran's diplomatic engagement with New Delhi.

Pezeshkian previously met with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on August 31. This encounter marked the first meeting between the two leaders since the onset of hostilities in the region. The summit will also pay close attention to the differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as both nations have been exchanging tough diplomatic messages due to the ongoing regional hostilities.

The UAE will be represented by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the Ministry. Additionally, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is in focus due to tensions in the Persian Gulf region, will be represented by Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister. The presence of these key regional players underscores the summit’s aim to foster dialogue and potentially de-escalate tensions in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Among the founding members of BRICS, which was launched in 2009 with Russia hosting the first summit, South Africa will be represented by Cyril Ramaphosa, and Brazil by Mauro Vieira. Notably, President Putin is the longest-serving leader among the founding members, adding a layer of historical continuity to the discussions. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day parade in Delhi on January 26, 2025, is also scheduled to attend, further strengthening India-Indonesia diplomatic ties.

Ten partner countries are represented at the summit, with notable leaders including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., will attend in his capacity as Chair of ASEAN, while Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will participate as President of the Eurasian Economic Union, reflecting the expanded geopolitical scope of the BRICS alliance.

Beyond national leaders, heads of major multilateral organizations are also participating. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to attend, alongside World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil, representing the New Development Bank.

Despite the extensive roster, some countries have declined or been unable to send representatives. Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman was invited to participate in the summit, but the Ministry of State for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir has confirmed that Bangladesh will not be represented at the event, signaling potential diplomatic nuances in regional alignments.

Global Geopolitical Landscape Shifts During Diplomatic Talks

The 18th BRICS summit in Delhi serves as a microcosm of the current global order, where traditional alliances are being tested by multifaceted crises. With leaders from West Asia, including Iran and representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council, engaging directly with BRICS members, the summit is poised to play a pivotal role in mediating regional conflicts that have disrupted global energy supplies. The presence of high-level officials from ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union further illustrates the expanding influence of the BRICS bloc as an alternative forum for international cooperation.

The focus on supply chain disruptions in energy and agriculture indicates that economic stability is inextricably linked to geopolitical peace. As long as conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine persist, the global economic architecture will remain fragile. The diplomatic interactions during this summit, particularly the bilateral meetings between India, Russia, and Iran, will likely set the tone for future multilateral efforts to stabilize trade routes. The absence of certain nations, like Bangladesh, may highlight the complex calculus of neutrality in a polarized world. Ultimately, the outcomes of these discussions will influence not just regional stability but the broader trajectory of global economic recovery and diplomatic realignment in the coming years.