The Russian president made the remarks as world leaders gather in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit following a day of bilateral talks and a major business forum<\/p>\n
BRICS is \u201cnot against anyone\u201d but focused on the development and prosperity of its members, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as world leaders gathered in New Delhi for the grouping\u2019s 18th summit.
\nPutin made the remarks at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday, part of a packed program of bilateral talks and discussions on trade, investment, energy, and global challenges, before the leaders\u2019 meeting formally opened on Saturday.
\n\u201cBRICS\u2019 work is not directed against anyone,\u201d Putin said. \u201cIt is aimed at only one common goal: the sustainable development and prosperity of our countries and peoples.\u201d
\nPutin said the group seeks to unlock its members\u2019 potential through \u201cbusiness diplomacy,\u201d making it easier for companies and entrepreneurs to cooperate and invest.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Russia \u2018open to working with the whole world\u2019 \u2013 Putin<\/p>\n
He contrasted this with what he called the West\u2019s \u201cugly forms\u201d of competition, including unilateral \u201cillegal restrictions\u201d and secondary sanctions against countries \u201cunwilling to follow others\u2019 interests.\u201d
\nDespite the tensions, Putin stressed that Moscow does not intend to retreat behind political blocs: \u201cWe are open to working with the whole world.\u201d
\nFriday saw Putin hold a flurry of meetings with New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
BRICS: The gears of change keep grinding<\/p>\n
He also held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed cooperation in trade, energy, defense, space, and other sectors.
\nFriday\u2019s whirlwind of diplomacy and Indian pageantry set the stage for two days of leaders\u2019 talks. What began as a four-country forum has grown into an 11-member economic heavyweight with increasing global clout as geopolitical tensions mount and the Western-led international order comes under growing pressure.
\nRT reporters are on the ground in New Delhi covering the 18th BRICS Summit, which runs through Sunday.
\nFollow the latest developments from New Delhi below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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