Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India to participate in 18th BRICS Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit marks a significant moment in contemporary international relations, reflecting the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia amid a rapidly shifting global order. The BRICS grouping — originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has evolved since its inception in 2009 (with South Africa joining in 2010) into a major platform for emerging economies to advocate for reform of global governance institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank. The 2024 summit, hosted by Russia in Kazan from October 22–24, saw the formal induction of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE as new members, expanding BRICS to ten nations — a development that underscores the bloc's growing geopolitical weight. President Putin's bilateral visit to India ahead of or alongside this summit highlights the depth of the India-Russia relationship, which traces back to the 1971 Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation — a cornerstone during the Cold War that continues to underpin defence, nuclear, and energy cooperation. Today, Russia remains India's largest defence supplier, accounting for over 60% of its military hardware, including the S-400 Triumf missile systems delivered under a $5.43 billion deal despite US CAATSA sanctions threats. In energy, India has significantly increased crude oil imports from Russia since 2022, making Moscow its top oil supplier — a pragmatic move aligning with India's strategic autonomy. The bilateral talks between PM Modi and President Putin are expected to cover defence production under the 'Make in India' initiative, including joint ventures like BrahMos Aerospace, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant expansion (Units 5 & 6), and connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor. Constitutionally, India's foreign policy operates under Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which mandates the promotion of international peace and security, respect for international law, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means — principles that guide India's engagement in multilateral forums like BRICS. The summit also assumes importance in the context of Global South solidarity, reform of the UNSC (where India seeks permanent membership with Russia's support), and de-dollarisation efforts through local currency trade mechanisms. As India balances its strategic partnerships — with the US through the Quad, with Russia through BRICS and SCO, and with the Global South — this visit exemplifies its multi-alignment diplomacy. Future implications include deeper defence-industrial integration, expanded energy corridors, and a stronger collective voice for BRICS in shaping a multipolar world order — all critical for aspirants to understand in the context of India's evolving foreign policy architecture.