New Delhi | 12 Sep 2026
The 18th BRICS Summit began at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together leaders and representatives of 11 major emerging economies as India seeks stronger cooperation on trade, investment, technology, energy security and reform of global institutions.
BRICS Summit in New Delhi draws major world leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the two-day summit on 12–13 September under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are among the prominent leaders attending.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are also participating. Brazil is represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, while Saudi Arabia’s delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
The United Arab Emirates is represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Leaders and representatives from partner countries, invited nations and international organisations are also attending.
Xi Jinping arrives for first India visit in seven years
Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, marking his first visit to India since 2019. He received a ceremonial welcome at the airport before joining the summit engagements.
Modi and Xi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Saturday evening. Their meeting will be closely watched as India and China cautiously work to stabilise relations following the deterioration caused by the 2020 military clash along their disputed Himalayan border.
China’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the visit that Beijing was willing to view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, manage differences appropriately and strengthen cooperation with India.
Modi and Putin discuss trade, energy and regional conflicts
Modi held bilateral talks with Putin in New Delhi on Friday, a day before the leaders’ summit. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reviewed their special and privileged strategic partnership and discussed political, defence, energy and economic cooperation.
They also exchanged views on conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, including their effects on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers. India and Russia have
BRICS Summit Opens in New Delhi as Modi Hosts Putin and Xi New Delhi | 12 Sep 2026
The 18th BRICS Summit opened at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together leaders and representatives of major emerging economies for two days of talks on trade, investment, global governance, technology and regional conflicts.
BRICS Summit begins amid global economic and geopolitical tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the September 12–13 meeting under India’s fourth BRICS chairship. India’s theme for 2026 is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with an emphasis on development-oriented cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.
The summit is taking place against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, war involving Iran, disruption to global energy and shipping routes, and growing disputes over tariffs, sanctions and Western-led financial systems.
Talks are expected to cover political and security cooperation, economic and financial coordination, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Members are also considering ways to expand trade in national currencies, strengthen supply chains and reform international institutions.
Xi Jinping arrives in India after seven years
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the summit and a scheduled bilateral meeting with Modi. It is Xi’s first visit to India since 2019 and comes as the two Asian neighbours cautiously seek to stabilise relations damaged by the deadly 2020 border confrontation.
The Modi-Xi talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations and the management of continuing differences. China’s Foreign Ministry said before the visit that Beijing was willing to approach relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and properly manage disagreements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are among the prominent participants.
Brazil is represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, while Saudi Arabia’s delegation is led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Representatives from partner countries, invited nations and international organisations are also attending.
Modi and Putin discuss trade, energy and regional conflicts
Modi held bilateral talks with Putin in New Delhi on Friday, a day before the leaders’ summit. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said they reviewed political, defence, energy and economic cooperation and exchanged views on conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region that have affected maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.
India and Russia have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, from nearly $70 billion in the 2024–25 financial year. New Delhi continues to defend its energy purchases from Russia as necessary for securing affordable and reliable supplies.
Expanded BRICS seeks greater influence in global governance
BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to Indian government figures, the 11 members account for 49.5 per cent of the world’s population, about 40 per cent of global gross domestic product and 26 per cent of global trade.
The New Delhi summit will test whether the expanded grouping can reach common positions despite differences among members over major conflicts and their relationships with the United States and other Western powers. Negotiations on the summit’s final outcome will indicate the extent of consensus on trade, financial cooperation, multilateral reform and global security.
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