President Hu Jintao arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the grouping known as BRICS.

With the theme of "BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity," the leaders are expected to discuss political, economic and social issues of mutual and international interest.

That included global governance, sustainable development and cooperation among the BRICS members.

"The summit will take forward the continuing efforts towards strengthening cooperation, consultation and coordination among the BRICS countries for the benefit of their peoples and of the international community," said the summit secretariat of India, the host of the meeting.

Chinese diplomats said President Hu will elaborate on China's position on global governance, sustainable development, and cooperation among BRICS countries at the summit.

The BRICS countries have become an increasingly important force in the international community. In the past years, they nations have played an important and constructive role in tackling the global financial crisis and climate change and facilitating economic recovery.

At the first BRIC summit in June 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China discussed the global economy and other pressing issues of global development, and also prospects for further strengthening collaboration within BRIC.

Brazil hosted the second summit in Brasilia. Leaders of the four countries exchanged views on major global issues, such as the world economy and financial situation, reform of the international financial system, climate change and cooperation among the four countries.

South Africa participated for the first time in the BRICS summit last April when China hosted the third meeting in the southern city of Sanya. The leaders had in-depth exchanges of views on the international situation, as well as economic, financial and development issues, and outlined their future cooperation.

Hu flew in from Seoul, where he attended the nuclear security summit and explained China's position on nuclear security.

From New Delhi, the Chinese leader will travel to Cambodia for a state visit.