Doomsday Clock for BRICS Unity Ticks Closer as Xi Meets Modi in New Delhi
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the 18th BRICS summit hosted by India, where wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade turbulence and energy security are expected to dominate discussions among the 11-nation bloc as the doomsday clock for BRICS unity ticks closer amid deepening divisions.
Xi Arrives for BRICS Summit Dominated by Global Conflicts
Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday en route to New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. [1] The two-day meeting of the 11-nation bloc is set to focus on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine along with global trade turbulence and energy security. [1] Xi’s entourage includes Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official Cai Qi. [1] Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in the Indian capital on Friday. [1] The summit is expected to test the divided grouping as wars, trade and energy issues take center stage. [4]
First Xi Visit to India Since 2019 Signals Cautious Thaw
Xi’s visit marks his first trip to India since 2019 and represents the biggest step in a cautious thaw between the nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly 2020 border clash. [1] Both sides still maintain heavy military deployments along their disputed 3,500-kilometre Himalayan frontier. [1] The underlying territorial dispute remains unresolved. [4] Ahead of face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Beijing stated it is ready to strengthen communication, enhance cooperation and properly handle differences with India. [1] Xi is due to hold face-to-face talks with Modi later on Saturday according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. [1] “They are looking for ‘early and substantial harvest’ when it comes to the border issue,” said Pradeep Taneja, a China-India expert at the University of Melbourne. [1]
Modi Holds Bilateral Talks with Putin and Pezeshkian
Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Modi on Friday and agreed to further strengthen the “special” relationship between their countries. [1] During a meeting with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Modi underscored the need to protect freedom of navigation and commerce as well as the safety and wellbeing of ships’ crews. [1] India has navigated the energy crisis caused by the United States-Iran war in part by turning to Russia despite Moscow’s war in Ukraine and pressure from Washington and other Western capitals. [1] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that pressure on Iran “has reached a critical and dangerous stage” following the “military aggression by the United States and Israel.” [4] Putin’s visit marks his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. [3]
Summit Agenda and Security Measures in New Delhi
The BRICS leaders will begin arriving at Bharat Mandapam from 2pm on Saturday. [3] The first closed session scheduled for 2.35pm will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.” [3] The leaders will later visit the Bharat Innovates exhibition before posing for a family photograph and participating in a joint tree plantation. [3] Modi will host a gala dinner for the visiting leaders at 7.30pm. [3] The summit will continue on Sunday with an open session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” scheduled for 10.50am. [3] Around 30,000 police and security personnel along with sniffer dog squads and anti-drone systems have been deployed in and around Bharat Mandapam. [3] More than 500 CCTV cameras have been installed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance. [3] Traffic restrictions are in place on Saturday from 9.30am to 9.30pm. [3]
BRICS Expansion Creates Both Opportunity and Constraints
BRICS was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers. [1] The bloc currently comprises 11 countries and represents 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade. [3] BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement when they met in New Delhi in May. [4] “The Gulf conflict is going to be the central fault line this time during the BRICS summit,” said Harsh V Pant of India’s Observer Research Foundation. [4] “What was seen until last year as an achievement — the expansion of BRICS — today looks like a big constraint on BRICS,” Pant said. [4] The doomsday clock for BRICS unity ticks closer as these divisions test the grouping’s cohesion during the New Delhi gathering.
Protests and Persistent Mistrust Mark the Gathering
Dozens of Tibetans living in exile protested in New Delhi on Friday waving placards against Xi’s visit. [1] Deep mistrust remains with the contested Himalayan frontier, a widening trade deficit and strategic rivalry still complicating ties. [1] “You cannot have a buildup of your forces on the border … but at the same time say ‘we should continue to have people-to-people relations and economic relationships,’” said Pradeep Taneja. [1] The expansion of BRICS has introduced countries with sharply differing positions on the Gulf conflict. [4]
What to watch next: Xi is due to hold face-to-face talks with Modi later on Saturday while the summit continues on Sunday with the open session on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
