Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13. This is his first in-person participation in a BRICS Summit held outside Russia since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talks are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in defence, energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, and people-to-people exchanges. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India and Russia share multifaceted and longstanding ties anchored in a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

Ahead of the summit, security in the capital has been intensified with thousands of personnel deployed. All schools in Delhi, including government and private, will remain closed on September 11. Commuters face traffic restrictions and diversions, with authorities advising the use of the Metro.

Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with China's Xi Jinping, Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. India seeks to balance ties with China and Russia.

The wars in Ukraine and Iran could test the group's unity at the summit. Under sanctions imposed by Western countries, Russia is trying to strengthen its positions. US and European Union leaders are allegedly concerned about the expansion of BRICS.

Source: www.dw.com