India is hosting the BRICS Summit- what some might call, the biggest diplomatic moment of the year. On Saturday, world leaders land in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit – and the two names drawing the most attention are Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
Having both Putin and Xi in the room at once turns it into more than a routine summit, it’s a signal of what is there to come.
So, What Does India Actually Gain?
Three things stand out:
1. A reset with China. Hosting Xi gives India room to stabilise the border relationship and restart economic ties, without appearing to cave on security.
2. A defence relationship on India’s own terms. Putin’s visit keeps the Russia pipeline open – hardware, oil, and diplomatic support – even as the US pressures India to pull back.
3. A bigger seat at the table. By successfully hosting both men at once, India shows it can engage rival powers without picking sides. That’s a valuable card to hold, especially while India is also managing trade tension with Washington.
Why Xi’s Visit Is a Big Deal
Xi Jinping hasn’t visited India in nearly seven years. His last meeting with Prime Minister Modi came before the deadly 2020 border clash at Galwan, which froze ties between the two countries for years.
Since then, India has kept its guard up – tightening rules on Chinese investment, banning apps, and pulling back on imports. But the freeze has been thawing quietly: border trade has resumed, tourist visas are back, and direct flights have restarted.
If Modi and Xi hold a formal one-on-one at this summit, it would be their first since Galwan. That alone makes this a landmark moment, regardless of what’s on the official agenda.
Putin’s Visit Is About Business
Putin arrives a day early, on September 11, for a bilateral meeting with Modi focused squarely on defence. Expect talk of the S-400 missile system, Su-57 fighter jets, and the BrahMos missile programme.
Where the China relationship is about easing tension, the Russia relationship is about deepening one – India isn’t backing off its defence ties with Moscow, even as Western countries push New Delhi to distance itself.
What’s Actually on the Table
Beyond the personalities, the summit agenda covers trade, energy, technology, food security, and supply chains. A Business Forum kicks things off on September 11, bringing together leaders on trade and investment.
One tricky spot: BRICS now includes countries with very different priorities – from Iran to the UAE to Saudi Arabia – and there’s ongoing back-and-forth over how the summit’s final statement should address the conflict in West Asia.