Wars, global crises may top agenda of 18th BRICS summit - The Hindu

**Wars, Global Crises Likely Dominate the 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi**

New Delhi will host the 18th BRICS summit this week, bringing together leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for what analysts expect to be a high‑stakes agenda. With the war in Ukraine dragging on, the conflict in Gaza intensifying, and a series of supply‑chain and climate shocks rattling emerging economies, the bloc’s foreign ministers have flagged “wars and global crises” as the top discussion points. The summit, scheduled for 21‑23 May, will also address reforms of multilateral financial institutions, the expansion of the New Development Bank, and coordinated action on food security and energy transition.

President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi on Friday, landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport for a series of engagements ahead of the summit. He is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral session that is expected to focus on deepening strategic cooperation, energy partnerships, and defence collaboration. Sources close to the talks say that the two leaders will review existing agreements on nuclear energy and discuss the potential for joint ventures in advanced aerospace projects, including the Indian Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and the Russian Su‑57 fifth‑generation fighter. While India has not confirmed any procurement, the meeting underscores a mutual interest in sharing technology and maintaining a balance of power in the Indo‑Pacific.

The diplomatic choreography of the summit extends beyond the BRICS core. India’s foreign minister will hold talks with Iranian counterpart Hossein Pezeshkian on Friday, a meeting prompted by the recent escalation in West Asia and ongoing efforts to broker a peace settlement in Ukraine. Both sides are expected to coordinate on regional stability, humanitarian assistance, and the prevention of further energy market disruptions. As the BRICS leaders convene, the convergence of geopolitical flashpoints, economic challenges, and defence dialogues suggests that the summit could reshape the bloc’s collective stance on global security and development.