Leaders from the BRICS bloc, including China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi, have gathered in Kazan, Russia, for a summit aimed at reinforcing collaboration among developing economies. This three-day meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, represents a significant opportunity for Russian President Vladimir Putin to counter efforts by the United States to isolate Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the summit as Russia’s largest foreign policy event, featuring representatives from 36 countries, with over 20 led by heads of state. Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa, BRICS has expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have also expressed interest in joining.

The summit serves to demonstrate international support for Russia amidst rising tensions with the West and aims to enhance economic ties among member states. Proposed initiatives include a new payment system to bypass the SWIFT network and the creation of an alternative monetary unit to replace the US dollar, enabling Russia to trade more freely with its partners.

Bilateral meetings on the summit’s sidelines feature Putin with leaders such as Xi and Modi, who emphasised the enduring partnership between their countries. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, while South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged Russia as a longstanding ally. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also set to meet with Putin, marking his first visit to Russia in over two years.