AIIB President Zou Jiayi Arrives For BRICS Summit

What Is AIIB: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank headquartered in Beijing, established to fund infrastructure projects — roads, energy, water and urban development — across Asia and beyond. India is among its largest shareholders and borrowing members, making the AIIB President's participation at the BRICS Summit relevant to discussions on infrastructure financing for emerging economies.

As BRICS Chair 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees. During the BRICS Summit, the leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance, according to a statement released by the MEA.

PM Modi's Message Ahead Of The Summit

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said leaders from across the world will gather in New Delhi over the next few days for the BRICS Summit, expressing confidence that the high-level meeting will witness positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the welfare of the world in mind.

"Over the next few days, leaders from around the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. I am confident that the Summit will see positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with the welfare of the world in mind," PM Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.

Putin Arrives For Bilateral Talks

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Putin was warmly received at the airport by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh.

Welcoming the Russian President, the MEA took to X and posted: "India and Russia share multifaceted and longstanding ties anchored in Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership."

Highlighting the enduring India-Russia partnership, MoS Singh took to X and posted: "Honoured to receive Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit. India warmly welcomes President Putin. His presence at the Summit reflects the enduring strength and importance of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia."

Context: Follows Bishkek Meeting And Modi's Message On Ukraine

Putin's visit comes amid continued high-level engagement between India and Russia and follows his meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek last week.

During their meeting in Bishkek, PM Modi urged Putin to move from an "endless war towards the end of war," in reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began five years ago following Moscow's full-scale invasion.