BRICS leaders gather in India amid global geopolitical tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the BRICS summit, occurring amidst significant global instability. The summit agenda is dominated by conflicts in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and issues surrounding trade and energy. During bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pezeshkian emphasized that BRICS serves as a platform to challenge unilateralism and amplify the influence of emerging economies. Pezeshkian also characterized the current geopolitical environment as a period of unprecedented complexity, noting that Iran is facing critical pressure due to actions by the United States and Israel.

A focal point of the event is the expected arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, marking his first visit to India since 2019. This visit signifies a cautious step toward reconciliation between India and China, six years after military clashes occurred along their disputed Himalayan border. While both nations continue to pursue a diplomatic thaw, Prime Minister Modi alluded to lingering mistrust in his welcome message, emphasizing that dialogue requires a commitment to virtue. The summit continues through the weekend, with further bilateral talks planned.