Modi to exercise moderating influence at Brics Summit

Challenge will be to navigate delicate geopolitical and trade situations

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the key leader at the Rio de Janeiro Brics Summit that was scheduled to start yesterday as the group tries to navigate the delicate geopolitical and world economic situations.

Modi, who arrived here Saturday, and host President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil are expected to steer Brics closer to its founding goal of economic cooperation and development, and away from the political slant pushed by China and Russia, tinged with anti-West sentiments.

Putin, Xi absent

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, who advocate a more political orientation for Brics, won't be there.

The Russian news agency Tass said that Putin will be speaking at the summit through a video link, while Xi will be sending Prime Minister Li Qiang.