Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the BRICS Summit will witness positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the aim of global welfare as leaders from around the world gather in India for the two-day summit.

“Over the next few days, leaders from across the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. I am fully confident that the conference will see positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the aspiration of global welfare,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The summit in New Delhi takes place against the backdrop of a global economy facing the adverse impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis, especially the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration’s trade and tariff policies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are among the top leaders attending the summit.

PUTIN BEGINS 3-DAY INDIA VISIT

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a three-day visit to India on Friday to participate in the BRICS Summit and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand bilateral trade, investment and energy cooperation. Putin is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Putin’s visit marks his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

DELHI ON HIGH ALERT AHEAD OF SUMMIT

Putin and PM Modi are scheduled to hold wide-ranging bilateral talks on Friday afternoon. The meeting is expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in defence, energy, technology, pharmaceuticals and people-to-people exchanges.

Delhi has gone on high alert with tight security and temporary traffic curbs as India hosts top world leaders for the BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam over the weekend.

Around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 500 CCTV cameras across Delhi will provide security for the two-day 18th BRICS Summit starting Saturday.

Delhi Traffic Police has clarified that authorities will not shut down the city, but commuters should expect temporary stoppages, diversions and restrictions on routes used by VVIP convoys.

BRICS STAGE FOR INDIA TO DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP: CONGRESS LEADER

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, former Union Minister Salman Khurshid described the gathering as a “significant event” that allows India to demonstrate leadership on the global stage.

Speaking to ANI, Khurshid said the presence of leaders from all 11 member countries, including China, Iran, Russia, South Africa and India, could help New Delhi bring countries together, reduce contradictions and conflicts, and work towards creating better conditions in the world.