Xi Jinping to skip BRICS summit in Brazil; Putin to join via video

New Delhi, July 6: The BRICS summit opens on Sunday in Brazil without the physical presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first time in over a decade that he will miss the annual gathering of the group of major emerging economies, reports international media. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not attend in person and will participate via video link, as Brazil, like South Africa, is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

The 2025 summit comes amid rising global economic uncertainty and ongoing trade tensions, including looming U.S. tariffs set to be imposed on some BRICS nations. Since 2024, BRICS has expanded to include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, in addition to its original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending both the summit and a state visit to Brazil. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is also expected to be present. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is likely to attend following his country’s recent admission into BRICS.

While uncertainty remains over whether Saudi Arabia has accepted an invitation to join the group.