Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12-13, 2026, in New Delhi, according to latest confirmation from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on May 18. As per TASS, Peskov confirmed that "Putin will definitely take part in the BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi" during the 18th BRICS Summit under India's presidency of the bloc. This marks Putin's second trip to India in less than a year, following his visit in December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including ongoing tensions in West Asia involving the U.S. and Iran, with India hosting the meeting under its presidency of the bloc.
The summit represents a significant diplomatic engagement for both Russia and India during challenging global conditions. Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that "BRICS is a rallying point for those seeking a more equitable multipolar world order" and that there is "a need to INCREASE joint efforts amongst member nations" as reported by TASS. Putin's participation builds upon the strategic partnership established during his December 2025 visit to India, which marked the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the two countries. During that visit, he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, establishing a foundation for the upcoming BRICS engagement. Prime Minister Modi has confirmed his visit to Moscow later this year, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. Lavrov also underlined the depth of India-Russia ties, saying "cooperation between the two countries spans several sectors" and emphasizing that "we want our especially privileged strategic partnership to continue developing effectively across all areas."
According to latest reports, discussions during the summit are expected to focus on trade, energy cooperation, financial coordination and broader global issues involving BRICS member countries. This expanded agenda reflects the growing importance of BRICS cooperation in addressing global economic challenges and alternative trade systems. India is set to host leaders from major emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa as New Delhi prepares for one of its biggest international diplomatic events of the year. BRICS currently comprises 11 emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on political, economic and strategic cooperation among major developing nations.
During his India trip, Putin is expected to meet PM Narendra Modi during the BRICS summit, as confirmed by latest reports. This bilateral meeting with the Indian Prime Minister is expected to be a key highlight of the summit, reflecting the importance of the strategic partnership between the two nations. The meetings underscore the strong bilateral ties that have been established through multiple high-level engagements, including Putin's previous visit to India and Modi's confirmed visit to Moscow later this year. This diplomatic engagement comes at a time when Russia, India, and other BRICS member countries are seeking to strengthen their strategic partnerships amid evolving global dynamics and regional security concerns.
