International
oi-Swastika Sruti
An unusual approach has been adopted by a Russian diplomat to appeal to an Indian audience in preparation for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, that is, he has chosen to speak in Hindi.
Russian Embassy Press Secretary Petr Sizov addressed audiences in Hindi using the word ‘zabardast’ ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12-13), highlighting BRICS cooperation and expansion as India prepares to assume the Chairmanship in 2026.
Petr Sizov, who is the Press Secretary at the Russian Embassy in India, made statements regarding BRICS in a video message and gained widespread popularity because of one particular Hindi word that he used. The word is “zabardast.”
What Did Petr Sizov Say in Hindi?
Speaking directly to the camera, Sizov said:
“Main ummeed karta hoon ki ye sabse zabardast community hoga.”
The remark can broadly be understood as: “I hope this will be the most powerful/strongest community.”
While the message was about BRICS, it was the use of the word zabardast that made the clip stand out.
The word is commonly used in everyday Hindi to describe something impressive, powerful, excellent or formidable. Its use gave Sizov’s otherwise diplomatic message a more informal and familiar tone.
#WATCH | Delhi: Speaking in Hindi on BRICS, Petr Sizov, Press Secretary, Russian Embassy in India says, “…मैं उम्मीद करता हूँ कि ये सबसे ज़बरदस्त community होगा.” pic.twitter.com/gt4uM0mrRi
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2026
Why Did ‘Zabardast’ Stand Out?
It is a general tendency for diplomatic utterances to be written in a formal manner. The fact that Sizov’s statement contained a very frequently used phrase in Hindi made the statement quite casual in nature.
Apart from the use of Hindi language in his statement, what also intrigued the people was his choice of the word “zabardast.”
It is a popular phrase in India, which conveys enthusiasm in its meaning. The term made the comment of Sizov regarding the future of BRICS seem quite personal rather than a formal diplomatic statement.
Sizov Praises Growing BRICS Cooperation
Sizov’s comments came ahead of the BRICS Summit, which is being held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. He also referred to remarks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the growing level of cooperation within BRICS. Sizov highlighted the expanding membership of the grouping and said he expected important issues to be discussed during the leaders’ meetings.
His comments reflect Moscow’s positive view of the grouping at a time when BRICS has expanded beyond its original membership.
India Is Leading BRICS in 2026
The event is taking place as India assumes a more prominent position in the grouping.
India will assume the Chairmanship of the BRICS nations in 2026 with New Delhi being the host of the 18th BRICS Summit.
This summit will involve heads of state of BRICS nations that have become much larger than before with discussions focusing on economic cooperation, global governance, trade, development, among other international matters.
BRICS has become much larger since inception with members from various parts of the world.
From BRIC to a Much Larger Grouping
The BRICS acronym initially stood for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, while South Africa was added later. This alliance has grown over time, attracting new members from the Global South to join its ranks.
Moreover, its growth has made the group more significant in debates on economic cooperation at the international level.
For its members, the BRICS alliance is an opportunity to deal with issues beyond the purview of Western dominated institutions.
Why BRICS Matters to India
For India, hosting the summit provides an opportunity to shape the agenda of the expanded grouping. New Delhi has placed emphasis on areas such as economic cooperation, trade, technology, development and the interests of developing countries.
The summit is also taking place at a time of major geopolitical uncertainty, with conflicts and tensions affecting energy supplies, trade routes and global economic stability.
This makes the BRICS platform particularly important for countries looking to strengthen cooperation outside traditional power structures.
