A key feature of this summit is the high-level engagement between the attendees. Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are due to hold talks with Prime Minister Modi. Pezeshkian’s visit is particularly notable as it marks the first visit by an Iranian president to India in eight years. This trip firmly places the Middle East conflict on the agenda. Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet Modi on the sidelines of the two-day meeting.

For Xi, this visit represents his first trip to India since 2019 and marks a significant step in a cautious thaw between the rival neighbors. This development comes six years after a deadly military clash along their disputed Himalayan border. Ties between the nuclear-armed Asian giants have been warming recently, with flights, visas, and high-level contacts being gradually restored. However, deep mistrust remains a persistent factor, with their contested frontier, a widening trade deficit, and strategic rivalry continuing to complicate bilateral ties.

India maintains cordial relations with both Iran and Israel, carefully balancing its diplomatic engagements. The country is also cautious in its ties with Washington. In navigating the energy crisis caused by the war on Iran, India has turned to Russia, one of its most important strategic partners and controversial fuel suppliers in recent years. This shift occurs while Moscow’s war against Ukraine drags on, adding another layer of complexity to India’s foreign policy decisions.

Putin last visited India in December 2025, but he also met Modi in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, earlier this month. These repeated engagements highlight the enduring strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues to cast a long shadow over international diplomacy. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Kyiv this month, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to India for its commitment to ending the conflict.

The economic implications of the summit are also profound. As global markets react to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, BRICS nations are exploring ways to reduce dependence on Western-dominated financial systems. However, the divergent interests regarding the Iran war make unified economic action difficult. The summit will likely serve as a barometer for the group's ability to function as a cohesive bloc in the face of external pressures and internal disagreements.

Geopolitical Implications of the Expanding BRICS Bloc

The arrival of leaders from diverse geopolitical camps at the New Delhi summit signals a critical juncture for the BRICS organization. While the group aims to counter Western influence, the conflicting stances on the Iran war and the Ukraine conflict expose deep rifts among member states. The cautious thaw in Sino-Indian relations provides a stabilizing element, but historical mistrust limits full alignment. Future efficacy of BRICS will depend on its ability to manage these internal disparities while projecting a unified front on global economic reform.