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China and India are intense rivals and have accused each other of trying to seize territory along LAC (Img: X)
New Delhi: India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 in the national, with the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping drawing global attention.
The participation of both leaders has turned the summit into more than a routine diplomatic gathering. It highlights India’s growing role as a bridge between competing global powers while navigating its own strategic interests.
The biggest question ahead of the summit is what does India gain from bringing China and Russia together on the same platform?
Xi Jinping’s visit to India carries special significance as it comes after nearly seven years. His last visit was before the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which severely impacted India-China relations.
Since then, New Delhi and Beijing have maintained cautious engagement, with India tightening regulations on Chinese investments, restricting several apps and reducing economic dependence.
However, relations have shown signs of gradual improvement. Border discussions have continued, direct flights have resumed and people-to-people exchanges have started recovering.
A possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit could mark an important step towards rebuilding communication between the two nations.
While China remains a sensitive diplomatic challenge, Russia continues to be a key strategic partner for India.
Vladimir Putin’s visit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in areas including defence, energy, trade and technology.
Discussions may include defence projects, military equipment cooperation and energy partnerships. India has continued maintaining its defence relationship with Moscow despite pressure from Western countries to reduce dependence on Russian supplies.
Putin’s presence at the summit highlights the importance of the India-Russia partnership in a changing global environment.
Hosting both Putin and Xi gives India an opportunity to showcase its ability to engage with rival powers without formally aligning with any one bloc.
At a time when global politics is witnessing tensions between major powers, India’s position as a diplomatic balancing force has become increasingly important.
The summit allows New Delhi to strengthen its influence among emerging economies while keeping communication channels open with key partners.
The BRICS Business Forum will also bring together corporate leaders to discuss economic cooperation among member nations.
The expanded BRICS grouping now includes countries with diverse political and economic interests, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
One of the key challenges will be finding common ground on global conflicts, especially issues related to West Asia.
The final summit declaration could involve detailed negotiations as member countries have different positions on international conflicts.
The presence of Putin and Xi gives India a unique diplomatic opportunity. New Delhi can strengthen its strategic partnerships, improve economic cooperation and reinforce its image as a major global player.
For India, the BRICS Summit is not just about hosting world leaders it is about shaping conversations on the future global order.
