Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi to attend BRICS summit
Worth reading — 1 past UPSC question on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2016).
2-minute summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit to attend the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India. This marks his first in-person participation in a BRICS summit outside Russia since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. The summit is set against a highly fragmented geopolitical backdrop, characterized by the economic fallout of the Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis (including maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz), and protectionist trade policies from the United States. The summit's agenda focuses on building collective resilience in critical supply chains, food, energy, health, and disaster reduction. India aims to position the expanded BRICS bloc as a stabilizing anchor for the Global South, while holding key bilateral talks with Russia to strengthen cooperation in defence, energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals.
Why it's in the news
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit starting September 12, 2026. This is a significant diplomatic event as it is Putin's first in-person BRICS summit outside Russia since 2022.
Facts to remember
- Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi marks his first in-person participation in a BRICS summit outside Russia since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
- The BRICS grouping was formalized with its first summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010.
- During the 15th Summit in Johannesburg in 2023, BRICS invited Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to join, effective January 1, 2024.
Background and context
BRICS began as an acronym (BRIC) coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001 to identify fast-growing economies that would dominate the global economy by 2050. The grouping was formalized with its first summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, forming BRICS. The bloc established key institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) to provide alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems. At the 15th Summit in Johannesburg (2023), BRICS announced a historic expansion, inviting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to join, effective January 1, 2024. The group represents over 40% of the world's population and a significant share of global GDP, positioning itself as a champion for the Global South and advocating for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Bretton Woods institutions.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51 — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandate India to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law.
International organisations
- BRICS — An influential international grouping of emerging economies working toward a multipolar world order, economic cooperation, and global governance reform.
- New Development Bank (NDB) — A multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Prelims GS-1 2016 — Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Mains practice: Analyze the significance of the BRICS grouping in promoting India's strategic autonomy and its role as a voice for the Global South amidst current global geopolitical tensions.
The BRICS grouping (comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly admitted members) serves as a vital platform for India to exercise its strategic autonomy. Amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict, West Asian instability, and rising protectionism, the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi underscores India's unique position as a bridge between the Global South and the West.
Significance of BRICS for India:
• **Promoting Strategic Autonomy**: BRICS allows India to maintain strong ties with non-Western powers like Russia and China while simultaneously engaging with Western alliances (such as the Quad). This multi-alignment ensures India is not forced into binary bloc politics.
• **Voice of the Global South**: India leverages BRICS to champion the interests of developing nations in areas like food security, energy access, climate finance, and disaster resilience. The inclusion of African and Middle Eastern nations strengthens this mandate.
• **Reforming Global Governance**: BRICS serves as a pressure group demanding reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Bretton Woods institutions (IMF, World Bank) to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
• **Economic and Energy Security**: Bilateral engagements on the sidelines of BRICS, such as India-Russia energy cooperation, help secure critical resources (crude oil, fertilizers) amidst global supply chain disruptions like the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
• **Challenges of Cohesion**: Internal contradictions, particularly the India-China border disputes and China's attempt to use BRICS as an anti-Western platform, challenge the group's consensus-driven decision-making.
In conclusion, BRICS remains indispensable for India to foster a multipolar world order. By steering the bloc toward pragmatic economic cooperation and away from overt anti-Western rhetoric, India can solidify its leadership of the Global South.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. Which of the following countries became official members of the expanded BRICS bloc during its expansion wave starting January 1, 2024?
- Saudi Arabia, Brazil, India, and Vietnam
- Argentina, Turkey, Indonesia, and South Africa
- Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Egypt
- Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates
Answer: D. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates officially joined BRICS on January 1, 2024. Argentina declined the invitation, and Saudi Arabia's formal status remained under ongoing consideration.
Q2. With reference to the New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. All member states of the United Nations are eligible to become members of the NDB. 2. No member country has veto power in the decision-making process of the bank. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. According to the NDB's Articles of Agreement, membership is open to any member of the United Nations. Furthermore, unlike the IMF or World Bank, no member has veto power; decisions are made based on equal voting rights (one member, one vote) for founding members.
Q3. The Strait of Hormuz, recently in the news due to geopolitical blockades, connects which of the following water bodies?
- Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
- Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
- Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
- Black Sea and Sea of Azov
Answer: C. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Revision flashcards
- Where is the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB) located (as of September 2026)? Shanghai, China.
- Which BRICS summit formally initiated the expansion of the grouping by inviting new members? The 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa (August 2023).
- What is the voting share mechanism of the founding members in the New Development Bank (NDB) (as of September 2026)? Equal voting power (one member, one vote), with no member holding veto rights.
- Which crucial maritime chokepoint connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is vital for global oil transit? The Strait of Hormuz.
- What is the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) of BRICS? A framework established in 2015 to provide protection against global liquidity pressures and support national currencies during financial crises.