"Great Summit to look up to": Former BJD MP Amar Patnaik highlights BRICS as key mechanism to ease global tensions, expand trade

Speaking to ANI in Bhubaneswar ahead of the summit, Patnaik emphasised that the multilateral grouping plays a vital role in protecting trade resilience for member nations during volatile times.

Patnaik described BRICS as an effective platform to resolve bilateral tensions and navigate diplomatic friction among member states or within non-BRICS regions.

This is a great forum to sort out these bilateral tensions or even tensions within other countries in this grouping, to carve out a space for increased trade and commerce, given the unstable geopolitical situation across the globe in non-BRICS areas, Patnaik said.

India is hosting the summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. Patnaik highlighted that the summit holds immense strategic value not just for India, but for all member countries seeking stability in a shifting international order.

This is a great summit to look up to, not just from India's point of view, but also from the other countries in the grouping, he added.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 Chairship, guided by the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Development, sustainability and innovation are among the key areas of focus of India's Chairship.

The BRICS grouping currently comprises 11 countries -- Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. The grouping has emerged as a platform for coordination among major emerging economies and advancing the interests of the Global South.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in New Delhi ahead of the summit. During the meeting, PM Modi also gifted Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work attributed to poet-saint Thiruvalluvar.

Putin is also scheduled to address the BRICS Business Forum, with bilateral discussions expected to focus on strengthening economic and industrial cooperation between India and Russia.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the summit and is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with PM Modi later in the day.

Pezeshkian said ahead of his departure from Tehran that BRICS could play a role in confronting unilateralism and promoting greater economic, financial, industrial and trade cooperation.

Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima also arrived in New Delhi. Nigeria is among the BRICS partner countries.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in the national capital ahead of the summit and was received by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo also arrived in New Delhi. South Africa is a BRICS member, while Uganda is among the partner countries.

Uruguay Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Lubetkin, Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P Lazaro also arrived ahead of the summit. (ANI)