During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of achieving peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. He said that India supports efforts to restore stability and favors a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The three-day summit, which began on October 22, was the largest international event in Russia since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. Amid heightened security measures, Putin is using the meeting to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote the idea of resisting Western influence.
Modi noted that New Delhi is in constant contact with Russia on the conflict and is committed to finding peaceful solutions. Putin, for his part, praised the strategic partnership with India and expressed his readiness to develop it further.
India, balancing the interests of Kyiv and Moscow, provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine without directly condemning Russia’s actions. This year, Modi has already visited both Kyiv and Moscow in an effort to stimulate negotiations. India is also seen as a potential mediator in resolving the conflict.
The BRICS summit was attended by about 20 world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. An important topic of the meeting was the idea of creating an alternative payment system that could replace SWIFT, which was disconnected from the Russian economy.
Confrontation with the West and the BRICS’ internal policy
Although the United States denies that BRICS is a geopolitical rival, Washington is concerned about Russia’s attempts to increase its influence amid the conflict. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for deporting children from Ukraine, which limited his international travel.
Russia presents the BRICS summit as a diplomatic success, proving that the West has failed to isolate Moscow. This year, Russia has not only strengthened its position in eastern Ukraine, but also strengthened relations with countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
During his talks with Modi, Putin said that at the summit in Kazan, the leaders should make important decisions to improve the organization’s activities. During the event, the Russian president will also meet with other world leaders, including Xi Jinping and Erdogan, and talks with Guterres are scheduled for Thursday.
Security and challenges of the summit
Due to the increased frequency of drone attacks and Kazan’s proximity to Ukraine, security measures have been significantly tightened. Residents are advised to stay at home, and students have been temporarily evicted from their dormitories. Traffic in the center of Kazan is also restricted.
The West fears that through BRICS, Russia will be able to promote its ideas and increase its influence in the world. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern that if Russia is successful, other countries may follow suit in using force to resolve conflicts.
The BRICS, established in 2009, has gradually expanded to include countries such as South Africa, Iran, and Egypt. However, there are differences within the bloc, especially between India and China. Turkey, a NATO member, recently expressed its desire to join the BRICS, adding new diplomatic challenges. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Lula da Silva canceled his trip to the summit due to a head injury, which also became an unexpected factor in the event.
