Overview
- Russian officials confirmed Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS leaders’ summit set for Sept. 12–13 in New Delhi.
- Chinese leader Xi Jinping is widely reported to be likely to attend but Beijing has not issued a formal confirmation.
- Kremlin aides say a bilateral meeting between Putin and Xi is planned on the sidelines of the leaders’ summit.
- India’s role as 2026 BRICS chair is under pressure because a recent foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi failed to produce a joint communiqué over disagreements on West Asia and related conflicts.
- Beyond leader visits, the summit will spotlight practical cooperation on defence, energy and trade and could shape BRICS moves on global governance if New Delhi secures compromise among its diverse members.