Putin, Xi and a bigger Brics: India takes its vision for the bloc to global stage
New Delhi is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit, bringing together leaders including Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to discuss the bloc's expanded role. India is using its 2026 chairship to focus on practical cooperation in areas like energy security, supply chains, and artificial intelligence.
Why it matters
The expansion of BRICS to 11 members represents a significant shift in global economic and geopolitical influence, challenging traditional Western-led international frameworks.
NEW DELHI: Delhi has been turned into a fortress. Roads are being secured, security has been stepped up and the capital is preparing for the arrival of some of the world’s most powerful leaders.Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders are set to gather for the Brics Summit, turning New Delhi into the stage for a meeting of a bloc that now represents nearly half of the world’s population.But beyond the motorcades, bilateral meetings and summit optics lies a much bigger test. With 49.5% of the world’s population, Brics is no longer simply a grouping of emerging economies.
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