BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates: Iran President Pezeshkian arrives in India, set to meet PM Modi
The BRICS Summit in New Delhi brings together Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with both leaders set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit is also focusing on stronger economic cooperation, including faster cross-border payments and greater use of local currencies
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Context
India is hosting the Summit in 2026, marking a significant diplomatic event with the arrival of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. The summit's agenda focuses heavily on economic cooperation, particularly the development of independent cross-border payment systems and trade in local currencies, against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine disrupting global supply chains.
UPSC Perspectives
International Relations
The (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus new members) grouping represents a significant shift towards a multipolar world order, challenging traditional Western hegemony in global governance. The physical presence of both Iranian and Russian leaders in New Delhi highlights India's complex strategic autonomy. India is balancing its relationships with Western nations (like the US) while simultaneously engaging with nations currently under Western sanctions or facing geopolitical isolation. The expansion of to include Iran and others signifies an effort to create an alternative bloc for the Global South, focusing on shared economic and developmental interests. From a UPSC perspective, this illustrates India's multi-alignment strategy, where it maintains ties with competing power centers based on its national interest, navigating the fallout from conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
Economic
A key focus of the 2026 summit is the de-dollarization agenda, driven by the desire of member states to reduce reliance on the US Dollar and Western financial messaging systems like . The is exploring interoperable, cross-border payment mechanisms that are 'faster, cheaper, more accessible, transparent and secure.' This involves promoting trade settlements in local currencies, which can help member nations mitigate currency volatility and bypass economic sanctions. For India, this aligns with its push to internationalize the Rupee and enhance financial sovereignty. The emphasis on linking payment systems (potentially integrating India's architecture) reflects a strategic move towards building alternative financial architectures. UPSC Mains questions could focus on the feasibility of a currency, the challenges of trade settlement in local currencies, and the geopolitical implications of undermining dollar dominance.
Internal Security
Hosting high-profile multilateral events like the summit presents significant security challenges, particularly concerning cybersecurity and the management of information ecosystems. The article mentions the Delhi police tracking social media using 'keywords and digital trails' ahead of the summit. This highlights the growing importance of cyber intelligence and combating misinformation/disinformation during major international gatherings. Such events are often targets for cyberattacks, protests, or narrative manipulation by state and non-state actors seeking to disrupt proceedings or embarrass the host nation. The intersection of physical security (protecting visiting dignitaries like the Russian President) and digital security is crucial for maintaining public order and ensuring the smooth conduct of the summit. This connects to GS Paper 3 topics on the role of social media in internal security challenges and the basics of cybersecurity.