Modi, Putin, Xi ‘bromance’ goes viral as leaders captured holding hands at BRICS Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen together while holding hands and laughing during the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. The image was posted by PM Modi on social media, and it quickly went viral as the leaders’ “bromance” took the spotlight at the high-stakes event. The display of unity and partnership comes at a time when the world is gripped by uncertain geopolitical conditions.

This is not the first time the three leaders were captured together. PM Modi was seen holding hands with Putin and Xi last year at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.

“Today, the Global South stands in the front row of global crises but in the back row of the decision-making process. We must transform this ‘pyramid of privilege’ into a ‘platform of partnership’ – one where every nation has a voice, every member has a stake, and the development of humanity lies at the heart of every effort,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi held several bilateral meetings with world leaders, including Putin, Xi, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He was seen sharing hugs, handshakes and smiles with the leaders, sending a message of unity and partnership to the rest of the world.

India hosts 18th BRICS Summit

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and September 13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit is being attended by several world leaders from about 30 BRICS member and partner nations. Heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS countries are also present at the meetings. The year 2026 also marks 20 years since BRICS was established. BRICS engagements focus on political and security cooperation, economic and financial ties, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

This year, India assumed the chairship of the BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical bloc made up of major emerging market economies. India is one of the founding members of the grouping, which was formalised in 2006, along with Russia, China and Brazil. The group was initially called BRIC, but was later renamed to BRICS after South Africa joined the bloc in 2010. The group now has 11 full member countries and 10 official partner nations.

This year’s theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, which will focus on a people-centric approach guided by the principle of “Humanity First.”