Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to travel to New Delhi in September to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026, according to confirmation from the Kremlin. The high-level gathering is scheduled for September 12 and 13 and will bring together leaders from major emerging economies to discuss global security, economic collaboration, and the evolving concept of a multipolar world order.
Putin’s upcoming visit highlights the continued strengthening of India-Russia relations, particularly in strategic areas such as defence cooperation, energy partnerships, and bilateral trade. The trip also marks his second visit to India within a year, reflecting sustained diplomatic engagement between the two countries at the highest level.
The last time Putin visited India was in December 2025, when he attended the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. During that visit, he held extensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, energy, and economic ties. That trip was especially notable as it was his first visit to India since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, with his previous visit having taken place in 2021.
The upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi is expected to focus on major global issues, including geopolitical tensions, trade cooperation, and reforms in international governance structures. Member nations are likely to explore ways to strengthen coordination amid shifting global power dynamics and increasing economic interdependence.
BRICS has expanded significantly in recent years and now includes eleven major emerging economies. These are Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The group serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation on key global political and economic challenges.
The origins of BRICS date back to 2006 when BRIC foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The first formal summit was held in 2009 in Russia, and the grouping expanded to include South Africa in 2010, becoming BRICS. South Africa participated in its first summit in 2011.
In recent years, the grouping has continued to expand further. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE became full members in 2024, while Indonesia joined in 2025. Several other countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, have joined as partner nations, reflecting the bloc’s growing global influence.
