Putin and Modi in China for summit overshadowed by trade wars with US

Russian president meets with Indian prime minister ahead of BRICS summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended a meeting of the BRICS countries in Beijing, China. The two leaders are expected to discuss a myriad of topics ranging from military cooperation to trade relationships amid the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and increasing Western sanctions.

What do the sanctions mean for BRICS?

The BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - have increasingly promoted themselves as a counterweight to Western economic and political influence, especially since the invasion of Ukraine. Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia for its military operation in Ukraine, which has also created a divide among the members of the BRICS.

What's next?

Putin and Modi are expected to discuss strengthening economic cooperation among the BRICS nations, as well as increasing military cooperation. They will also be discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, although it is unclear how the group will address the issue of the ongoing war.

What are the goals of the BRICS summit?

The BRICS summit, which is held annually, aims to encourage cooperation among the five member nations. The theme of this year's summit is "Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development". The member states aim to deepen their strategic partnership and promote peace and security, among other goals.

Conclusion

Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the leaders of the BRICS nations continue to foster economic and military relationships among one another. It'll be interesting to see how the ongoing war impacts the group's ability to collaborate with one another moving forward.