Following the 18th BRICS+ summit, which took place in New Delhi, India, from September 12 to 13, international media offered varied perspectives on its importance. The Russian economic daily Vedomosti described the summit as achieving only the "strict minimum," suggesting that the outcomes were limited. In contrast, the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia highlighted the event as a showcase of the "possibilities of the Global South," emphasizing the influence of non-Western nations. Meanwhile, the Financial Times observed that the summit marked a step closer for BRICS nations toward forming a "common political position," indicating a growing alignment in policy and goals. Despite internal disagreements, the group managed to maintain its unity, a notable achievement given the tensions among some of its ten members. Russian state media focused heavily on the presence and actions of President Vladimir Putin, portraying him as a central figure in the summit. According to Rossiïskaïa Gazeta, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were seen traveling together in the same car—a moment described as "automobile diplomacy" by the newspaper. This gesture was seen as a symbol of cooperation and friendship between the two leaders. Putin's speech was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, with some reports noting that attendees stood to applaud, underscoring his influence and the respect he commands in the group. The summit concluded with a symbolic act: the planting of banyan trees, which are native to India. These trees are known for having multiple aerial roots, a metaphor for "multipolarity," or the idea of a world where power is distributed among several countries rather than being concentrated in a single entity. This imagery was used to represent the BRICS nations' collective vision of a more balanced global order. The closing banquet was described by Kommersant as a "voy," a term that likely refers to a grand or elaborate event, reflecting the diplomatic and cultural significance of the summit. The overall tone of the event seemed to balance political discussions with symbolic gestures, reinforcing the BRICS nations' shared goals and their desire to project unity on the global stage.