New Delhi, September 2026 : President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Zou Jiayi arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting as the grouping’s Chair for 2026.
Welcoming Jiayi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said his visit would help strengthen partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable development and creating greater opportunities for emerging economies.
“The visit will strengthen partnerships to advance sustainable development and expand opportunities for emerging economies,” the MEA said in a post on X.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees. The summit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation among member nations on shared priorities as well as discussions on important global and regional developments.
According to the MEA, leaders attending the summit will exchange views on ways to deepen intra-BRICS cooperation in areas of common interest and share perspectives on global and regional issues of mutual importance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said leaders from around the world would gather in New Delhi for the summit and expressed confidence that the high-level meeting would lead to constructive discussions focused on global welfare.
“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,” Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.
The arrival of AIIB President Zou Jiayi comes as India prepares for a high-level gathering that is expected to place considerable emphasis on economic cooperation, sustainable development and opportunities for emerging economies.
Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also arrived in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS Summit. Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi during his visit.
The Russian President was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Welcoming Putin, the MEA highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries, saying India and Russia share “multifaceted and longstanding ties” anchored in their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Singh also described Putin’s presence at the summit as a reflection of the enduring importance of the bilateral relationship.
“Honoured to receive Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit. India warmly welcomes President Putin,” Singh said in a post on X.
Putin’s visit follows continued high-level engagement between New Delhi and Moscow and comes shortly after his meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek last week.
During the Bishkek meeting, Modi urged Putin to move from an “endless war” towards the “end of war”, referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict that began following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
With senior leaders and representatives from member and partner countries arriving in New Delhi, the 18th BRICS Summit is set to provide a major platform for discussions on economic cooperation, sustainable development and pressing international and regional issues.
