Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders Summit, where he was warmly received by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This marks Modi’s fourth visit to Brazil and comes during the fourth leg of his five-nation tour.
The two-day summit focuses on key global issues including global governance reform, peace and security, multilateralism, artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and financial matters. “As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies,” Modi said. He will also undertake a state visit to Brasília — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades — to deepen bilateral ties with Brazil.
The summit is significant for India, which will assume the BRICS Chairship in 2026. India is expected to use its role to amplify the voice of the Global South and promote inclusive global governance. The summit theme, Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance, aligns with this ambition.
However, the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted the tone of the summit. This is the first time Xi has missed a BRICS summit since 2012. Beijing cited “scheduling conflicts,” sending Premier Li Qiang in his place. Analysts suggest Xi’s absence may reflect China’s domestic economic focus and lowered expectations from the expanded BRICS grouping.
Putin, facing an ICC arrest warrant, is attending via video link. Brazil, as an ICC signatory, may have found it diplomatically difficult to host him in person.
BRICS, now expanded to include Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, faces questions about its coherence. Critics argue that rapid expansion has diluted its ideological unity, making it harder to present a consolidated alternative to Western-led forums like the G7.
Despite these challenges, host nation Brazil aims to steer the agenda toward tangible cooperation in areas like green energy, vaccines, and equitable global trade — signaling a desire to anchor BRICS in practical, forward-looking initiatives.
(With inputs from agencies)