Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western powers of using increasingly aggressive economic and geopolitical tactics to preserve global influence and urged BRICS (group of emerging economies) countries to create a more independent economic platform. Speaking at a BRICS business forum in New Delhi, Putin said competition was extending beyond conventional economic rivalry to include direct physical attacks, damage to industrial and logistical facilities, pipelines and efforts to disrupt trade routes. He also criticized restrictions and threats of secondary sanctions (penalties targeting third parties) against countries that reject Western policies. His comments came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Putin ahead of the BRICS summit, which is set to include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders. The meeting took place amid ongoing trade and shipping disruptions linked to the wars in Ukraine and Iran.