BRICS Summit Kicks Off in India with Global Leaders Focusing on Conflict and Trade

In a significant gathering aimed at addressing pressing global issues, Vladimir Putin, alongside leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, has arrived in India for the 2026 BRICS summit. The two-day summit, which opens on Saturday, is poised to spotlight the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the turbulent state of global trade.

The summit, initiated in 2009 as a platform for emerging economies seeking to amplify their influence in Western-dominated institutions, has expanded to include key players from the Middle East. Notably, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is joining the discussions for his inaugural visit to India since assuming the presidency, highlighting the Middle East conflict's central role in the summit's agenda.

As the leaders prepare for crucial dialogues, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the importance of engaging with virtuous partners and is set to meet both Putin and Pezeshkian. The gathering also marks Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to India since 2019, suggesting a cautious thaw in China-India relations despite underlying tensions. The summit will assess the geopolitical landscape shaped by the ongoing Iran war and the repercussions of the Ukraine conflict, with experts anticipating that these issues will be pivotal in shaping the discussions.

Source: www.abc.net.au