BRICS Leaders Arrive In India For Summit On Trade Cooperation

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left) meets with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, for bilateral talks in New Delhi on March 28.

Presidents of countries in the so-called BRICS group of emerging economies have arrived in New Delhi for a summit aimed at enhancing their economic ties.

BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The five countries account for 22 percent of global gross domestic product and about 43 percent of the world's population.

Among top issues on the agenda, BRICS leaders are expected to discuss a proposal to set up a joint development bank as an alternative to traditionally Western-dominated institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

BRICS trade ministers met in the Indian capital on March 28 ahead of the summit on March 29.

With reporting by dpa and AFP