Russian President Vladimir Putin was seated between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS gala dinner, underscoring Russia’s crucial role in the alliance. This gathering in Kazan marked the largest assembly of international leaders in Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin seized this opportunity to emphasize the growing BRICS alliance and solidify his position on the global stage. The summit, attended by leaders from 32 nations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, demonstrated Russia's resolve to reshape the world order and counter Western attempts to isolate the Kremlin amid the ongoing conflict.
Strengthening Ties with China and India
Both Xi and Modi expressed a commitment to strengthening ties with Russia during their bilateral discussions. Xi reiterated the "deep friendship" between China and Russia, highlighting that it remains unaffected by global "chaos." Modi echoed similar sentiments, stating that his recent visits to Russia underscored the "close and deepening" relationship. These remarks reflect the growing collaboration between the three nations, despite rising geopolitical tensions.
In response, Putin emphasized the strategic alliance with India, referring to his bond with Xi as that of "dear friends." Both leaders praised Moscow's expanding collaboration with their countries, with Modi emphasizing Russia's role in India's diplomatic and economic strategies, while Xi described the partnership as "wide-ranging."
Strategic Alliances Amid the Ukraine Conflict
The relationship between China and Russia has evolved since they declared a "no-limits friendship" just weeks before the invasion of Ukraine. Since Xi assumed office in 2012, he and Putin have met over 40 times, including recent meetings in Beijing and Kazakhstan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. These regular interactions signify their commitment to countering American influence, particularly in light of the upheaval in Ukraine.
However, Beijing's stance on the conflict remains nuanced. While China positions itself as a neutral party capable of mediating disputes, the United States and its European allies accuse Beijing of providing financial support to Russia during the crisis. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Xi and Putin discussed the Ukraine situation extensively during their meeting.
India’s Balancing Act
The United States has expressed concern over the deepening cooperation between India and Russia, especially in the energy sector. India has refrained from criticizing Russia amid the conflict and has not participated in key UN votes related to the invasion. Despite advocating for a peaceful resolution, Modi has maintained close ties with Moscow, with India now sourcing a significant portion of its oil from Russia, complicating its position in the global arena.
Washington is also wary of New Delhi's efforts to grant Russia access to restricted technologies. Although the Biden administration is increasingly frustrated with India’s stance, its broader strategy to counter China's influence in Asia limits its ability to exert pressure on New Delhi.
Summit Highlights Unity Among BRICS Members
The meeting comes on the heels of BRICS' announcement to expand its membership by adding six new countries at its 2023 summit in South Africa. Despite some uncertainty from Saudi Arabia and Argentina's withdrawal under its new president, Javier Milei, the gathering highlights the expanding influence of the BRICS bloc. During the summit, Putin is expected to meet with several key leaders, including Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
While details are still emerging, India's Oil Minister Hardeep Puri indicated that Modi's discussions in Russia are anticipated to yield positive results, particularly regarding energy transactions.
