Putin touches down in New Delhi for BRICS talks as Ukraine and Middle East conflicts loom

Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Monday, marking the start of the 2026 BRICS summit hosted by India. He was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport before proceeding to the venue where leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will convene. Al Jazeera reported that the two heads of state are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on the first day of the gathering.

The summit’s agenda is expected to be dominated by two major conflicts that have reshaped global politics in recent years: Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East involving Iran. According to Al Jazeera, both the Ukrainian and Iranian delegations will be present, and their discussions with India are likely to focus on security, energy cooperation and the impact of sanctions.

Iranian officials are also slated to meet Modi alongside Putin, a sign of the deepening strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow. The presence of Iranian representatives underscores New Delhi’s delicate balancing act, as it seeks to maintain strong economic links with both countries while navigating pressure from Western allies. Al Jazeera noted that the talks could touch on regional security arrangements and the possibility of expanded trade in energy and infrastructure projects.

The BRICS bloc, founded in 2009, has grown into a platform for emerging economies to coordinate on economic and political issues, often positioning itself as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions. The 2026 summit is the first to be held in India since the country joined the group in 2016, and it arrives at a time when the alliance is confronting criticism over its members’ involvement in conflicts abroad. Historically, BRICS meetings have addressed reforms to the New Development Bank, coordination on trade policies, and joint statements on global governance. This year’s gathering may also explore ways to mitigate the effects of sanctions on Russia and to expand cooperation with Iran, despite international pushback.

For India, hosting the summit offers an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic clout and to attract investment from fellow members. Analysts suggest that Modi will use the occasion to highlight India’s role as a bridge between the Global South and the West, while also seeking assurances on energy security and technology transfers. The outcomes of the talks could influence the trajectory of the Ukraine war, the stability of the Middle East, and the future shape of the BRICS coalition.