A video has surfaced on social media alleging that a simple vegetarian breakfast poha was served to world leaders at Bharat Mandapam during the 18th BRICS Summit. After the video went viral on social media, the Ministry of External Affairs quickly stepped in and termed the information as 'fake news', clarifying that the meal shown in the video was meant for journalists, not delegates. The confusion stemmed from visuals of the International Media Centre that started doing the rounds online, echoing the similar vegetarian spreads laid out for the press during the 2023 G20 Summit. While journalists dug into poha and other classic Indian breakfast fare, world leaders bypassed breakfast at the venue altogether, opting instead to dine at luxury hotels offering far more lavish spreads. The claim was clarified after the official MEA Fact Check handle stepped in directly, and confirmed that no breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue. It added that the viral visual was, in fact, from the International Media Centre. "Fake News! No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam," the MEA Fact Check said on X.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-and-china-s-xi-offered-to-help-resolve-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin-1789286638039">PM Modi and China's Xi offered to help resolve Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fake News! 

No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam. https://t.co/Wkk8DILjo8&mdash; MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) <a href="https://x.com/MEAFactCheck/status/2098662669301813320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Fact-Check: PM Modi's gift of his own portrait to Chinese President</h3>This is not the first time that government social media page has come for fact check of the visuals or information shared on social media. In a separate incident, another fake news story circulated on social media with a clip claiming that PM Modi has gifted a portrait of himself to the Chinese President during the 18th BRICS Summit. In response, the PIB fact-check team labelled the claim as fake news and confirmed that the visual is from 12 October 2019. "A video is being shared online claiming that Prime Minister @narendramodi gifted a portrait of himself to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The porcelain memento featuring PM Narendra Modi's image was gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to PM Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram on 12 October 2019," the PIB post on X claims.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 A video is being shared online claiming that Prime Minister @narendramodi gifted a portrait of himself to Chinese President #XiJinping 

#PIBFactCheck

❌ The claim is #FAKE.

✅ The porcelain memento featuring PM Narendra Modi's image was gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to PM Narendra Modi in #Mamallapuram on 12 October 2019.

🔗https://t.co/9EhYJ5OahE

🔗https://t.co/AqL1BSeKsr

🔰 Always verify information through credible and official sources before believing or sharing it.&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/2098698123279520233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Similarly, another fake claim on social media was verified by the official MEA Fact Check handle on X over the allegation that Indian youth have announced large-scale protests in Delhi during the 18th BRICS Summit. In response, the handle confirmed that "the video being shared is old and unrelated."

The confusion stemmed from visuals of the International Media Centre that started doing the rounds online, echoing the similar vegetarian spreads laid out for the press during the 2023 G20 Summit. 

A video has surfaced on social media alleging that a simple vegetarian breakfast poha was served to world leaders at Bharat Mandapam during the 18th BRICS Summit. After the video went viral on social media, the Ministry of External Affairs quickly stepped in and termed the information as 'fake news', clarifying that the meal shown in the video was meant for journalists, not delegates. The confusion stemmed from visuals of the International Media Centre that started doing the rounds online, echoing the similar vegetarian spreads laid out for the press during the 2023 G20 Summit. While journalists dug into poha and other classic Indian breakfast fare, world leaders bypassed breakfast at the venue altogether, opting instead to dine at luxury hotels offering far more lavish spreads. The claim was clarified after the official MEA Fact Check handle stepped in directly, and confirmed that no breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue. It added that the viral visual was, in fact, from the International Media Centre. "Fake News! No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam," the MEA Fact Check said on X. Also read: PM Modi and China's Xi offered to help resolve Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin

The confusion stemmed from visuals of the International Media Centre that started doing the rounds online, echoing the similar vegetarian spreads laid out for the press during the 2023 G20 Summit.&nbsp;

FACT-CHECK: Poha for world leaders? MEA debunks viral BRICS Summit 2026 video as 'fake'

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim brought some Bollywood magic to his BRICS Summit visit, breaking into an impromptu rendition of Kishore Kumar's classic "Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat" at a Delhi hotel. The song, from the 1965 film Teen Devian, is one of many Hindi classics Anwar has sung during his India trips, following past performances of "Dost Dost Na Raha" and "Bole Chudiyan." His visit also saw India-Malaysia ties elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.


BRICS 2026: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim sings Bollywood classic at BRICS dinner  

The viral image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping features another man who is looking at the world leaders and smiling. Social media had various opinions about him. While some said he should be well-groomed, other said his position and skill matters more than his looks. As several dignataries and officials arrived at the 18th BRICS Summit vensue in new Delhi's Bharat Mandapam, this man was seen at several ocassions beside the Indian Prime Minister. Now, it is being reported that he is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-2026-pm-modi-praises-india-s-chairmanship-sends-critical-minerals-and-supply-chain-message-on-day-2-china-xi-jinping-present-1789277773320">BRICS Summit: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' message in front of China's Xi</a><h2>Who is the man beside Modi, Putin and Xi at BRICS Summit 2026?</h2>According to a report by Firstpost, the man is Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. He is from Kerala's Kochi. He serves as a diplomatic interpreter for the prime minister and as Deputy Secretary for Europe and Eurasia in the Ministry of External Affairs. His role is to bridge the language gaps during sensitive diplomatic meetings, where even small differences in wording and tone can matter. While he studied mechanical engineering and initially worked in the private sector, including in e-commerce, his LinkedIn profile says that he joined MEA in 2017.<h3><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-modi-xi-putin-global-south-west-asia-pahalgam-china-russia-india-iran-uae-defence-1789263977357">BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates</a></h3>According to Moneycontrol, he appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination before eventually securing an All India Rank of 15 in 2016. Although his rank could have opened the way to the Indian Administrative Service, he opted for the Indian Foreign Service because of his interest in international affairs and diplomacy. According to LinkedIn, Siddartha Babu’s career at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) began in December 2017 as an Officer Trainee in New Delhi. He then served as Third Secretary and Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Beijing, China, from 2018 to 2022. From August 2022 to June 2024, he worked as Consul in Monterey County, California. He returned to New Delhi as Under Secretary from June 2024 to December 2025 and has been serving as Deputy Secretary since January 2025.

Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch IFS officer from Kochi, has drawn attention as PM Modi's diplomatic interpreter at high-level meetings. A mechanical engineer-turned-diplomat, Babu has served in Beijing and the US and is now Deputy Secretary for Europe and Eurasia at MEA.

The viral image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping features another man who is looking at the world leaders and smiling. Social media had various opinions about him. While some said he should be well-groomed, other said his position and skill matters more than his looks. As several dignataries and officials arrived at the 18th BRICS Summit vensue in new Delhi's Bharat Mandapam, this man was seen at several ocassions beside the Indian Prime Minister. Now, it is being reported that he is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. Also Read: BRICS Summit: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' message in front of China's Xi Who is the man beside Modi, Putin and Xi at BRICS Summit 2026? According to a report by Firstpost, the man is Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. He is from Kerala's Kochi. He serves as a diplomatic interpreter for the prime minister and as Deputy Secretary for Europe and Eurasia in the Ministry of External Affairs. His role is to bridge the language gaps during sensitive diplomatic meetings, where even small differences in wording and tone can matter. While he studied mechanical engineering and initially worked in the private sector, including in e-commerce, his LinkedIn profile says that he joined MEA in 2017. BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates According to Moneycontrol, he appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination before eventually securing an All India Rank of 15 in 2016. Although his rank could have opened the way to the Indian Administrative Service, he opted for the Indian Foreign Service because of his interest in international affairs and diplomacy. According to LinkedIn, Siddartha Babu’s career at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) began in December 2017 as an Officer Trainee in New Delhi. He then served as Third Secretary and Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Beijing, China, from 2018 to 2022. From August 2022 to June 2024, he worked as Consul in Monterey County, California. He returned to New Delhi as Under Secretary from June 2024 to December 2025 and has been serving as Deputy Secretary since January 2025.

Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch IFS officer from Kochi, has drawn attention as PM Modi's diplomatic interpreter at high-level meetings. A mechanical engineer-turned-diplomat, Babu has served in Beijing and the US and is now Deputy Secretary for Europe and Eurasia at MEA.

Who is the smiling man beside Modi, Putin and Xi at BRICS Summit 2026?

BRICS leaders gathered for the main open session as PM Modi took the floor to open discussions on inclusive global growth. Modi flagged serious concerns over the "weaponisation of technology and critical minerals," warning it could hinder shared progress and prosperity for the bloc. He also pointed to rising geopolitical tensions hurting ordinary lives worldwide, stressing that BRICS must strengthen resilience, especially for the Global South, through better supply chains and tech access.


BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi calls for unified BRICS growth model

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi calls for BRICS cooperation across sectors

BRICS Summit 2026: 'Nature is a mother,' PM Modi prepares bilaterals with 7 nations

PM Modi's BRICS vision: Growth, green development and a stronger global south

Chinese President Xi Jingping, who is on a visit to India for the BRICS Summit skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gala dinner after attending the summit and holding bilateral talks. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, was also absent as he left for home after attending the summit.&nbsp;According to PTI, Xi was absent from Bharat Mandapam, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders were to attend the dinner hosted by PM Modi. The reason for Xi's absence was not known but a source told the news agency that the Chinese President had gone back to his hotel to take rest.&nbsp;Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Notably, this is President Xi's first trip to India in seven years.&nbsp;His last trip to India was in October 2019, when he attended the informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;<h2>What was the bilateral talks about</h2>&nbsp;During the bilateral talks both the leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.&nbsp;They also underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries.&nbsp;Xi called for a “win-win” approach focused on development, urging both sides to expand cooperation in areas including people-to-people exchanges and direct flights. He also called for the two countries to address economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner.&nbsp;On the border issue, Xi said China and India should maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier while handling differences through “mutual respect and understanding”.&nbsp;

Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. 

Chinese President Xi Jingping, who is on a visit to India for the BRICS Summit skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gala dinner after attending the summit and holding bilateral talks. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, was also absent as he left for home after attending the summit. According to PTI, Xi was absent from Bharat Mandapam, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders were to attend the dinner hosted by PM Modi. The reason for Xi's absence was not known but a source told the news agency that the Chinese President had gone back to his hotel to take rest. Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Notably, this is President Xi's first trip to India in seven years. His last trip to India was in October 2019, when he attended the informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. What was the bilateral talks about During the bilateral talks both the leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. They also underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries. Xi called for a “win-win” approach focused on development, urging both sides to expand cooperation in areas including people-to-people exchanges and direct flights. He also called for the two countries to address economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner. On the border issue, Xi said China and India should maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier while handling differences through “mutual respect and understanding”.

Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi.&nbsp;

Why Xi skipped PM Modi's gala dinner hosted for BRICS leaders

When it comes to climate change, the BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration reads less like a communique and more like a negotiating position for the Global South. The bloc representing 40 percent of global GDP, 26 percent of global trade and nearly half the world's population made a clear push that can be described simply as: We want to not just follow the rules on climate change, we want to write them too. Coming as it did after the devastating Nepal floods, climate change was not an incidental aspect of the BRICS Declaration. It was woven throughout seperate sections of the 45-page document.<h2>The most pertinent features of BRICS Declaration on climate change:</h2><ul><li>Climate finance is part of the growth and development agenda</li><li>Debt is identified as a barrier to climate investment.&nbsp;</li><li>Climate adaptation appears directly in discussions involving central banks and finance ministries</li><li>BRICS seeks more financing options for developing economies, with a clear demand on developed countries when it comes to adoption.</li><li>Trade policy is explicitly linked to the countries’ capacity to adapt. This is reflected in the challenge to carbon border measures.&nbsp;</li><li>Opposition to protectionism is linked with support for multilateral trade rules even as BRICS vows to continue cooperation on trade and carbon markets&nbsp;</li><li>There are boundaries between climate and security, with concern expressed about attempts to link security with the climate-change agenda.</li></ul>"For a grouping as diverse and geopolitically complex as BRICS, achieving consensus on a forward-looking climate framework is no small feat," says Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-stitches-climate-into-its-trade-and-growth-agenda-experts-say-1789231897615">BRICS stitches climate into its trade and growth agenda, experts say</a><h2>The pushback on ‘carbon borders’: The most significant point?</h2>The BRICS joint declaration's opposition to the so-called ‘carbon border adjustment mechanisms’ (CBAMs) pushed by European Union has perhaps the sharpest language on climate change issues. And that, was a work in progress. At the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Delhi, the bloc had already described CBAM as punitive, discriminatory and protectionist . Now it is etched in the leaders' text, which called CBAM “unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist,” that undermined developing countries' efforts to address climate impacts and build adaptive capacity.&nbsp;The message to Brussels: Climate ambition and tariff policy can't travel in the same bus.Elsewhere, the declaration demanded to restore a functioning WTO dispute-settlement system. It also warned that tariffs pursued under environmental objectives disrupt supply chains and widen economic disparities.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-built-350-meetings-worth-of-climate-cooperation-this-year-almost-none-of-it-comes-with-money-1789145877091">BRICS built 350 meetings' worth of climate cooperation this year, almost none of it comes with money</a><h2>Net Zero goes missing from the text</h2>Rathin Roy, Distinguished Professor at the Kautilya School of Public Policy, points to a conspicuous absence of what he calls “that favourite Euro-American phrase — Net Zero.”"For the BRICS, Net Zero is an outcome of a profoundly unsustainable development system."The keyword here is differentiated responsibilities and national circumstances. Fossil fuels will remain in the energy mix of emerging and developing economies, while renewables, hydrogen and nuclear energy will sit alongside.Developing economies will scale up clean energy on timelines set by their own development needs, not by deadlines written elsewhere.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed</a><h2>After Nepal flood tragedy, resilience is not just a buzzword&nbsp;</h2>BRICS Summit was taking place just two weeks after the glacier-triggered floods in Nepal killed nearly 1,400 people, and the declaration pushed adaptation, climate finance and disaster risk reduction to the front of the text.For most of the bloc, climate is not an emissions accounting problem. It is a question of whether infrastructure survives the next monsoon. And the Declaration reflected the urgency. The text leaned hard into preparedness, with mentions on early-warning integration, voluntary principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure, anticipatory action and drought-resilient seed systems.&nbsp;Debt was named as a barrier to climate investment, and developed countries were asked for additional, predictable and accessible adaptation finance.Ulka Kelkar of WRI India highlights that the proposed Insurance Resilience Centre and Risk Lab could offer an alternative to conventional insurance approaches that lose effectiveness as climate risk rises.<h2>BRICS wants to write climate change rules, not just follow them</h2>The declaration firmly connects climate adaptation to reforms of global financial and economic systems. It seeks IMF quota reform, a correction in World Bank shareholding patterns and greater developing-country representation at the UN, while backing Ethiopia's COP32 presidency and sending a constructive signal to COP31.Archana Chaudhary of Climate Trends aptly concludes the BRICS framing: emerging economies are asking not only for a greater share of global growth, but a greater role in writing the rules that shape it.Li Shuo says the real test is whether BRICS can translate rhetoric into stronger climate action as Western countries retreat from their commitments. That will decide what kind of geopolitical force the bloc becomes.

With the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS appears to have set up its negotiating stance on climate change. The text highlighted the need for balancing the Global South's energy requirements with climate commitments. It rejected carbon border taxes, and kept fossil fuels in the mix.

When it comes to climate change, the BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration reads less like a communique and more like a negotiating position for the Global South. The bloc representing 40 percent of global GDP, 26 percent of global trade and nearly half the world's population made a clear push that can be described simply as: We want to not just follow the rules on climate change, we want to write them too. Coming as it did after the devastating Nepal floods, climate change was not an incidental aspect of the BRICS Declaration. It was woven throughout seperate sections of the 45-page document. The most pertinent features of BRICS Declaration on climate change: Climate finance is part of the growth and development agenda Debt is identified as a barrier to climate investment. Climate adaptation appears directly in discussions involving central banks and finance ministries BRICS seeks more financing options for developing economies, with a clear demand on developed countries when it comes to adoption. Trade policy is explicitly linked to the countries’ capacity to adapt. This is reflected in the challenge to carbon border measures. Opposition to protectionism is linked with support for multilateral trade rules even as BRICS vows to continue cooperation on trade and carbon markets There are boundaries between climate and security, with concern expressed about attempts to link security with the climate-change agenda. "For a grouping as diverse and geopolitically complex as BRICS, achieving consensus on a forward-looking climate framework is no small feat," says Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends. Also read: BRICS stitches climate into its trade and growth agenda, experts say The pushback on ‘carbon borders’: The most significant point? The BRICS joint declaration's opposition to the so-called ‘carbon border adjustment mechanisms’ (CBAMs) pushed by European Union has perhaps the sharpest language on climate change issues. And that, was a work in progress. At the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Delhi, the bloc had already described CBAM as punitive, discriminatory and protectionist . Now it is etched in the leaders' text, which called CBAM “unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist,” that undermined developing countries' efforts to address climate impacts and build adaptive capacity. The message to Brussels: Climate ambition and tariff policy can't travel in the same bus. Elsewhere, the declaration demanded to restore a functioning WTO dispute-settlement system. It also warned that tariffs pursued under environmental objectives disrupt supply chains and widen economic disparities. Also read: BRICS built 350 meetings' worth of climate cooperation this year, almost none of it comes with money Net Zero goes missing from the text Rathin Roy, Distinguished Professor at the Kautilya School of Public Policy, points to a conspicuous absence of what he calls “that favourite Euro-American phrase — Net Zero.” "For the BRICS, Net Zero is an outcome of a profoundly unsustainable development system." The keyword here is differentiated responsibilities and national circumstances. Fossil fuels will remain in the energy mix of emerging and developing economies, while renewables, hydrogen and nuclear energy will sit alongside. Developing economies will scale up clean energy on timelines set by their own development needs, not by deadlines written elsewhere. https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed After Nepal flood tragedy, resilience is not just a buzzword BRICS Summit was taking place just two weeks after the glacier-triggered floods in Nepal killed nearly 1,400 people, and the declaration pushed adaptation, climate finance and disaster risk reduction to the front of the text. For most of the bloc, climate is not an emissions accounting problem. It is a question of whether infrastructure survives the next monsoon. And the Declaration reflected the urgency. The text leaned hard into preparedness, with mentions on early-warning integration, voluntary principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure, anticipatory action and drought-resilient seed systems. Debt was named as a barrier to climate investment, and developed countries were asked for additional, predictable and accessible adaptation finance. Ulka Kelkar of WRI India highlights that the proposed Insurance Resilience Centre and Risk Lab could offer an alternative to conventional insurance approaches that lose effectiveness as climate risk rises. BRICS wants to write climate change rules, not just follow them The declaration firmly connects climate adaptation to reforms of global financial and economic systems. It seeks IMF quota reform, a correction in World Bank shareholding patterns and greater developing-country representation at the UN, while backing Ethiopia's COP32 presidency and sending a constructive signal to COP31. Archana Chaudhary of Climate Trends aptly concludes the BRICS framing: emerging economies are asking not only for a greater share of global growth, but a greater role in writing the rules that shape it. Li Shuo says the real test is whether BRICS can translate rhetoric into stronger climate action as Western countries retreat from their commitments. That will decide what kind of geopolitical force the bloc becomes.

With the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS appears to have set up its negotiating stance on climate change. The text highlighted the need for balancing the Global South's energy requirements with climate commitments. It rejected carbon border taxes, and kept fossil fuels in the mix.

BRICS Summit climate change stance: Delhi Declaration hints at changing priorities of Global South

Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, visited the Brics Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum on Saturday along with her husband, Hassan Majidi, on the sidelines of the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi.


BRICS Summit 2026: Iranian president's daughter explores crafts, culture at BRICS Bazaar

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi flags concerns over weaponisation of minerals, technology 

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi warns weaponising critical minerals, tech hampers progress 

Day 1 of the BRICS Summit ended on a high note for India, all 11 members unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, overcoming sharp Iran-UAE differences over West Asia after days of tense negotiations. PM Modi packed the day with bilaterals, including a landmark meeting with Xi Jinping. With the main open session done and dusted, all eyes now turn to Day 2, where the agenda shifts to inclusive global growth and the BRICS+ outreach nations.


BRICS Summit 2026: Global leaders of BRICS nations attend main open session 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed New Delhi after attending the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India. Xi joined other global leaders for key discussions on economic cooperation, global security and pressing international issues. His departure marks the end of his participation in the summit. Stay with WION for the latest updates from BRICS Summit 2026.


BRICS Summit 2026: Chinese president Xi Jinping departs from New Delhi after attending BRICS summit

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi to hold bilateral with leaders of 7 nations 

When PM Modi welcomed world leaders at Bharat Mandapam for the BRICS Summit, the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu formed the striking backdrop. Modi personally explained the temple's significance to Xi Jinping as they shook hands, before doing the same for Putin, El-Sisi, Ramaphosa and other leaders. One of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is deeply tied to the Ramayana and stands as a symbol of India's spiritual and cultural heritage.


BRICS Summit 2026: Bharat Mandapam features one of India's holiest shrines 

Trump wants to weaken BRICS, but his own tariff threats might be doing the opposite. After threatening a 10% tariff on nations aligned with the bloc's "anti-American policies," Washington's aggressive trade pressure on Brazil, India and China seems to be pushing them closer together, not further apart. The dollar still dominates 57.1% of global reserves, so BRICS isn't replacing it anytime soon, but analysts say continued coercion is exactly what's fueling the bloc's growing appeal.


BRICS Summit 2026: Trump wants to weaken BRICS, but maybe doing the opposite

BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi declaration adopted with full consensus, a diplomatic win for India

BRICS countries want to increase trade in their own currencies. But actually moving money across borders remains complicated.


BRICS Summit 2026: Can UPI power BRICS cross-border payments? 

Iran is stepping up its efforts to join the new development bank, the multilateral lender created by BRICS.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has received support from some countries and is now working to meet the requirements for membership.

BRICS Summit 2026: Iran’s push for BRICS finance

India’s trade with the expanded BRICS grouping remains heavily tilted towards imports. In the first quarter of financial year 2026-27, India imported goods worth about 99 billion dollars from its 10 BRICS partners, while exports stood at nearly 25 billion dollars.


India’s BRICS trade (April-June 2026)

BRICS Summit 2026: Can Tech Connect BRICS? 

On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the session and said that India's term as BRICS chair has been a ‘win-win collaboration.’ He shed light on a number of issues including global supply chain, critical minerals, and BRICS as a bloc in the multipolar world. With Chinese President Xi Jinping at the meeting, PM Modi put inclusivity at the centre of his closing remarks and cautioned against the "weaponisation" of technology and critical minerals, saying such measures could create "hurdles" to common growth. &nbsp;&nbsp;He also said that under India's BRICS presidency, the grouping had focused on four pillars — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability — and had worked to turn a shared vision into mutually beneficial collaboration. He highlighted initiatives aimed at strengthening preparedness against pandemics and disasters, making supply chains more resilient and promoting innovation through startups, digital agriculture and technology. PM Modi said India had sought to expand BRICS cooperation beyond governments by involving entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth and ordinary citizens.&nbsp;<blockquote>“India has advanced the spirit of friendship, partnership, and cooperation through the BRICS platform. We have endeavored to ensure that BRICS cooperation is not limited to governments alone; we want our entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth, and ordinary citizens to become active participants as well. I am pleased that, with your cooperation and support, we have been able to transform our shared vision into a win-win collaboration..."&nbsp;</blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, &quot;Under India&#39;s presidency, we have focused all our efforts on four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. I am pleased that, with your cooperation and support, we have… <a href="https://t.co/Fgetoh00sJ">pic.twitter.com/Fgetoh00sJ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2099008449501966515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On supply chain, he said that the BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework will make supply chains more reliable and resilient. He said the BRICS Incubator Network will connect startups and incubators, while the proposed BRICS Startup Innovation Fund will support innovative and scalable solutions. Modi also said the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will use AI, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure to meet farmers’ needs. He warned that the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress and stressed the need for inclusive technology adoption.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, &quot;Building upon these four pillars, we have endeavored to foster inclusive global growth through BRICS. This is because we believe that the benefits of solutions developed within BRICS should not… <a href="https://t.co/1Gi7Sz6JBT">pic.twitter.com/1Gi7Sz6JBT</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2099012337881804827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-modi-xi-putin-global-south-west-asia-pahalgam-china-russia-india-iran-uae-defence-1789263977357">BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates</a>&nbsp;Despite the presence of China's Xi Jinping, he said: “Weaponisation of critical minerals can be hurdle to common growth.” "The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology," PM Modi said at the BRICS session on 'Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.<h2>What PM Modi said on Day 1</h2>Earlier in Day 1, addressing the 18th BRICS Summit session on Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening in the national capital, PM Modi said that the Global South is at the forefront of global crises but remains on the sidelines when it comes to decision-making. PM Modi said the proposed roadmap should focus on three key areas -- Representation, Responsiveness and Rule-making. “The Global South is today in the front row when it comes to facing global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making. We must transform this ‘pyramid of privilege’ into a ‘platform of partnership', where every country has a voice, every member has a stake, and human development remains at the heart of every effort,” PM Modi said. “With this objective, I propose that we jointly prepare ten proposals for global governance reform, which we can seek to develop into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next Summit,” he added.

PM Modi said India's BRICS presidency focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, highlighting new initiatives on health, supply chains, startups, digital agriculture and MSMEs.

On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the session and said that India's term as BRICS chair has been a ‘win-win collaboration.’ He shed light on a number of issues including global supply chain, critical minerals, and BRICS as a bloc in the multipolar world. With Chinese President Xi Jinping at the meeting, PM Modi put inclusivity at the centre of his closing remarks and cautioned against the "weaponisation" of technology and critical minerals, saying such measures could create "hurdles" to common growth. He also said that under India's BRICS presidency, the grouping had focused on four pillars — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability — and had worked to turn a shared vision into mutually beneficial collaboration. He highlighted initiatives aimed at strengthening preparedness against pandemics and disasters, making supply chains more resilient and promoting innovation through startups, digital agriculture and technology. PM Modi said India had sought to expand BRICS cooperation beyond governments by involving entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth and ordinary citizens. “India has advanced the spirit of friendship, partnership, and cooperation through the BRICS platform. We have endeavored to ensure that BRICS cooperation is not limited to governments alone; we want our entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth, and ordinary citizens to become active participants as well. I am pleased that, with your cooperation and support, we have been able to transform our shared vision into a win-win collaboration..."

PM Modi said India's BRICS presidency focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, highlighting new initiatives on health, supply chains, startups, digital agriculture and MSMEs.

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' and 'supply chain' message on Day 2 in front of China's Xi

In one of the biggest highlights of BRICS 2026, Xi Jinping told PM Modi that China and India are "partners, not rivals, and opportunities, not threats" for each other, laying out a four-point framework for steadier ties. Modi thanked Xi for backing India's BRICS chairship and confirmed India will fully support China as it takes over the chairship in 2027 to host the 19th Summit. Border peace, trade imbalances and market access also featured prominently in the talks.


BRICS Summit 2026: Modi-Xi handshake signals thaw as Chinese leader returns to India after 7 years

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