India's BRICS strategy tested with Xi, Putin set to visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions to conflicts during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 11, as reported by India's Foreign Ministry. The prime minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the key to resolving conflicts, and India is prepared to support peace efforts, according to the ministry's spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, on X. The leaders convened in New Delhi prior to the BRICS summit, scheduled for September 12-13 at India's capital.

The summit will also feature participation from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, among other dignitaries and high-ranking officials.

During their extensive discussions, Modi and Putin addressed bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, and defense. This marks their second meeting within two weeks, following their encounter on the sidelines of the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek on August 31. At that gathering, Modi once again urged the Russian president to pursue diplomatic avenues, urging him to transition from an "endless war" to ending Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

India has maintained a neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine war while refraining from joining international sanctions against Moscow and emerging as one of Russia's primary buyers of fossil fuels.