New Delhi: Vietnam's Foreign Affairs Minister Le Hoai Trung touched down in the national capital on Saturday, joining a growing roster of diplomats and officials from across the BRICS bloc ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit set to take place in India.
The arrival marks another step forward in preparations for what is being described as one of the most consequential editions of the BRICS gathering yet. India, which holds the rotating BRICS presidency for 2026, has positioned the summit as a platform to amplify the voice of developing nations on issues ranging from global trade to climate finance and United Nations reform.
Le Hoai Trung's visit underscores Vietnam's active engagement with the grouping despite not being a formal BRICS member. New Delhi has consistently invited dialogue partners and friendly nations to observe and participate in key sessions, reflecting a broader strategy of widening the coalition around Global South priorities.
BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has undergone significant expansion in recent years, welcoming new members including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Iran. The expanded bloc now represents a substantial share of the world's population, gross domestic product, and energy reserves.
Analysts say the 18th edition is expected to focus on practical cooperation mechanisms — particularly in areas such as cross-border payments using local currencies, agricultural technology transfer, and coordinated responses to food and energy insecurity affecting emerging economies.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has been coordinating high-level logistics for the summit, with arrangements underway for bilateral meetings alongside the main multilateral sessions. Foreign delegations from across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are expected to arrive over the coming days.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Vietnam's presence will also provide an opportunity for New Delhi and Hanoi to discuss deepening bilateral ties, which have been steadily strengthened through trade agreements, defence collaboration, and shared positions on maritime security in the South China Sea.
