Amid global crisis, top leaders to attend BRICS summit this weekend - The Hindu

**BRICS Leaders Converge in Delhi Amid Heightened Global Tensions**

New Delhi is set to host the BRICS summit this weekend, drawing heads of state from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at a time of escalating geopolitical strain. The gathering comes as the world grapples with a cascade of crises—including the widening conflict in West Asia, ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, and soaring energy prices that threaten economic stability across continents. Organisers have framed the summit as an opportunity for the bloc to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism, promote alternative development pathways, and explore coordinated diplomatic initiatives aimed at de‑escalation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Friday, landing at Noida’s international airport in a historic first for a foreign‑state aircraft at the facility. His visit includes a scheduled bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on security, energy security, and the broader BRICS agenda. In parallel, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Pezeshkian is also slated to meet Modi, underscoring India’s effort to balance relations with multiple regional actors amid the West Asian flare‑up.

Analysts note that the convergence of these leaders underscores the strategic importance of the BRICS platform as a counterweight to Western‑led institutions. While the summit’s official programme highlights trade, technology, and sustainable development, observers expect substantive dialogue on the Ukraine peace process and a coordinated stance on the ongoing West Asian crisis. The outcomes of the summit could shape the geopolitical architecture of the coming year, influencing everything from global supply chains to diplomatic alignments.