Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to participate in the BRICS summit, marking another significant diplomatic engagement for Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. During his visit, the Russian leader is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside a schedule of multilateral and one-on-one meetings with leaders from across the BRICS grouping.
The timing of the summit could not be more consequential. The global economy continues to grapple with the cascading fallout from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has disrupted energy markets, strained supply chains, and fueled inflation across major economies. Compounding those pressures, the situation in West Asia has escalated dramatically, particularly following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supply passes. Any disruption to maritime trade through the strait sends shockwaves through global commodity prices and trade routes.
Adding further uncertainty, the Trump administration's recent trade and tariff policies have upended long-standing commercial relationships and raised fears of a broader trade war. These protectionist measures have prompted concerns among emerging economies about the stability of the international trading order.
For India, hosting the BRICS summit represents an opportunity to position itself as a bridge-builder between conflicting global powers while advancing its own economic interests. New Delhi has consistently sought to maintain productive ties with Moscow even as it deepens its strategic partnership with Western nations. The outcome of Putin's discussions with Modi is being closely watched for signals on energy cooperation, defence purchases, and India's role in shaping the evolving BRICS architecture.
