A summit of leaders from the BRICS group of major emerging economies kicks off in Brazil Sunday – but without the top leader of its most powerful member.

Leaders begin talks in Rio de Janeiro with focus on peace, security and global governance reform - Anadolu Ajansı

As Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping skip the BRICS Summit in Brazil, here’s how the expansion of the group has led to the emergence of an ideological divide.