Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi on September 11, ahead of a BRICS summit that will test whether the expanded grouping can find common ground on the Middle East war.
The Associated Press, citing India’s foreign ministry, reported that the leaders discussed cooperation in areas including defence, energy and the economy, as well as regional and global issues. Their bilateral meeting comes before the September 12–13 gathering of BRICS leaders.
The difficult question at the summit
Reuters reported that the war involving Iran has exposed divisions inside BRICS itself. Iran and the United Arab Emirates are both members, yet the UAE suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran in August after Iranian missile attacks.
The immediate diplomatic test is whether the members can agree on language about the conflict for a joint declaration. Agreement would demonstrate an ability to maintain a common forum despite competing interests. It would not, on its own, amount to a ceasefire or a settlement of the war.
A larger group, with more interests to reconcile
India’s Press Information Bureau confirms that New Delhi is hosting the 18th BRICS summit this weekend and describes development, sustainability and innovation as priorities of India’s chairship.
The Indian government lists 11 members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. That roster spans major energy producers and large consumer economies, making coordination consequential while also widening the range of national interests around the table.
The grouping’s agenda includes finance, trade, technology and cooperation on global governance. Those subjects give members reasons to keep talking even when their positions on a war diverge. Membership should not be mistaken for agreement on every security issue.
What would count as an outcome?
Readers should distinguish between the leaders’ meetings, any shared statement, and concrete commitments with an implementation process. Each is a different level of diplomatic progress.
The clearest next signal will be the final wording on the Middle East, alongside any specific decisions on economic cooperation. Until the summit concludes, claims that BRICS has either resolved its divisions or failed to reach agreement would be premature.
Sources: Associated Press; Reuters, via Internazionale; India’s Press Information Bureau. Hero: AI-generated editorial portrait of Modi based on an official visual reference; not a photograph of the leaders’ meeting.
