At a meeting of the BRICS bloc of developing countries, which the Kremlin hopes would serve as a focal point for opposing what some see to be the Western liberal order, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other world leaders arrived in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday.
The three-day gathering also provides Russian President Vladimir Putin with a potent means of illustrating the futility of U.S.-led attempts to isolate Russia over its activities in Ukraine.
With 36 nations in attendance, including more than 20 heads of state, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov hailed the summit as “the largest foreign policy event ever held” by Russia.
Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the alliance has grown quickly to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed interest in joining.
Russia and India are set to hold a summit on the sidelines of the summit, where Putin will hold about 20 bilateral meetings, including with China’s Xi, India’s Modi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit highlights the close relationship between Xi and Putin, who announced a “no limits” partnership weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Russia’s cooperation with India has flourished, as New Delhi considers Moscow a time-tested partner since Cold War times. Western allies want India to be more active in persuading Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, but Modi has emphasized a peaceful settlement.
Putin hailed the “privileged strategic partnership” between Russia and India and praised the close friendship between the countries. On Thursday, Putin is also set to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has repeatedly criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
(AP)
