Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other BRICS leaders walked side by side, holding hands in New Delhi on Friday in a symbolic display of solidarity as the expanded grouping prepared for its high-level summit in the Capital.
The leaders were seen walking together after engagements connected with the BRICS Business Forum, with the images presenting a striking picture of unity at a time when the grouping is seeking a greater role in shaping the global economic and political order. The interaction came ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting on September 12 and 13.
Leaders present united front
The visual of leaders holding hands assumed particular significance against the backdrop of continuing geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-US conflict, as well as growing trade and economic friction internationally.
Modi was joined by Putin, Pezeshkian and leaders and representatives of other BRICS members as they walked together. The moment underscored the grouping’s effort to project cohesion despite the differing foreign policy priorities, economic structures and strategic relationships of its members.
India has placed resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability at the centre of its BRICS chairship, seeking to strengthen practical cooperation while positioning the grouping as a major voice for emerging markets and developing economies.
Economic cooperation dominates agenda
The show of unity followed a series of engagements in which BRICS leaders emphasised trade, investment, connectivity and technology cooperation.
Putin proposed a New Development Bank-based investment platform to mobilise private-sector capital for infrastructure, logistics and technology projects across BRICS. He also insisted that the grouping’s growing economic cooperation was “not against anyone” and said member countries were seeking to advance their own national interests while remaining open to cooperation with the wider world.
Modi, addressing business leaders, highlighted the “speed, scale and optimism” visible across BRICS economies and called for stronger connections among businesses, investors and innovation ecosystems.
The gathering has brought several of the world’s most prominent leaders to New Delhi, with bilateral meetings on the sidelines adding another diplomatic dimension to the summit.
Expanded BRICS seeks greater global role
The New Delhi meeting comes as BRICS marks two decades of its evolution and continues to adjust to its rapid expansion. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the grouping has grown to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are among its partner countries, further widening the grouping’s geographical reach.
The expansion has substantially increased BRICS’ combined share of the global population, economic output, energy resources and trade, while also creating the challenge of maintaining consensus among a more diverse membership.
Symbolism ahead of crucial talks
The hand-in-hand walk offered a carefully visible demonstration of cohesion before leaders begin formal summit deliberations on Saturday. Discussions are expected to cover global governance reforms, economic and financial cooperation, conflicts and security challenges, technology, sustainable development and stronger engagement among countries of the Global South.
For host India, the gathering is also an opportunity to bring together countries that often have sharply different relationships with one another and with Western powers.
Against that complex geopolitical backdrop, the sight of BRICS leaders walking together in New Delhi served as a symbolic opening to the summit — projecting solidarity as the grouping seeks to turn its expanding economic and political weight into greater influence over global affairs.