Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for a packed schedule on Friday as the BRICS Summit gets underway in the national capital, with a series of bilateral meetings planned with visiting leaders and senior foreign dignitaries. Several foreign leaders and delegations have already arrived in Delhi ahead of the summit, with their engagements with Modi expected to focus on bilateral ties as well as key issues before the BRICS grouping. Among the prominent meetings scheduled for Modi are discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The engagements come as India hosts the BRICS summit, bringing together leaders from member countries for discussions on a range of international, economic and geopolitical issues. The meetings are also expected to provide an opportunity for India to strengthen bilateral relations with key strategic partners. Modi's meeting with Putin is expected to be closely watched given the long-standing relationship between India and Russia. The two countries maintain extensive cooperation across areas including defence, energy, trade and strategic affairs.
Their discussions on the sidelines of the summit are likely to provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review bilateral ties and exchange views on developments of mutual interest. The scheduled meeting with Pezeshkian is also significant as India maintains longstanding ties with Iran and has interests in regional connectivity, trade and energy. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as broader regional and international developments. Iran's participation in the BRICS framework has added another dimension to India's engagement with Tehran, particularly as New Delhi continues to balance relationships with major powers and regional partners.
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The meetings come as several foreign dignitaries arrive in New Delhi for the summit. With multiple leaders scheduled to meet Modi during the day, Friday is expected to be dominated by bilateral engagements ahead of the main BRICS proceedings. Such meetings on the sidelines of multilateral summits often provide leaders with an opportunity to address issues that extend beyond the formal agenda of the larger gathering. The BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi, with Bharat Mandapam serving as the main venue for the leaders' proceedings. The summit brings together member countries for discussions on global economic cooperation and major international issues.
India's hosting of the meeting provides New Delhi with an opportunity to highlight its priorities within the grouping while engaging directly with leaders from countries that play an important role in India's foreign-policy and economic interests. For Modi, the busy schedule reflects the diplomatic significance of the summit and India's expanding engagement with BRICS partners. The meetings with Putin and Pezeshkian, along with other engagements planned with visiting dignitaries, are expected to make Friday an important day of diplomacy in the national capital. As leaders gather for the summit, the bilateral discussions will remain closely watched for indications of progress in India's relations with Russia, Iran and other BRICS members.
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