India’s BRICS Summit in New Delhi focused on diplomacy, Global South representation, conflicts, trade and technology, with the New Delhi Declaration adopted and China taking over the 2027 chairship.

India’s BRICS Summit in New Delhi focused on diplomacy, Global South representation, conflicts, trade and technology, with the New Delhi Declaration adopted and China taking over the 2027 chairship.

BRICS in pictures: Leaders, diplomacy and viral moments from Delhi summit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Sep 13) said that Tehran and Abu Dhabi want to “turn the page” after relations between Iran and the UAE deteriorated amid the war in the Middle East. His remarks come a day after he held bilateral talks with Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). Their meeting raised the possibility of India acting as a bridge between the two Gulf nations amid conflict.“For the first time since the war and the incidents that occurred in the Persian Gulf, we had a constructive exchange with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi,” Pezeshkian said in New Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13).&nbsp;“It was agreed that we would turn the page, look to the future and build it together,” he added.<h2>Pezeshkian, UAE Crown Prince bilateral meet</h2>In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said that the Crown Prince and the Iranian president held talks over regional and international issues. The two leaders also discussed the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions and achieving stability in the region.“Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, discusses with the Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a number of regional and international issues, and the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions, and achieving stability in the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for peace and development for its peoples, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India,” the statement read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and discussed regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability, and efforts to advance regional peace and development. <a href="https://t.co/vEWoB6u1pt">pic.twitter.com/vEWoB6u1pt</a>&mdash; مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) <a href="https://x.com/ADMediaOffice/status/2098745662561309069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Can India bridge the gap?</h2>On Friday (Sep 11), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Pezeshkian, during which PM Modi stated India’s firm position for “dialogue and diplomacy” to reach a solution. He also raised New Delhi’s concerns over the protection of Indian seafarers and commercial vessels. He stressed that freedom of navigation and commerce should not be disrupted due to ongoing war.According to the MEA, PM Modi and Pezeshkian “exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia. Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran and Abu Dhabi agreed to “turn the page” and build a future together after BRICS talks in New Delhi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Sep 13) said that Tehran and Abu Dhabi want to “turn the page” after relations between Iran and the UAE deteriorated amid the war in the Middle East. His remarks come a day after he held bilateral talks with Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). Their meeting raised the possibility of India acting as a bridge between the two Gulf nations amid conflict. “For the first time since the war and the incidents that occurred in the Persian Gulf, we had a constructive exchange with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi,” Pezeshkian said in New Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13). “It was agreed that we would turn the page, look to the future and build it together,” he added. Pezeshkian, UAE Crown Prince bilateral meet In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said that the Crown Prince and the Iranian president held talks over regional and international issues. The two leaders also discussed the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions and achieving stability in the region. “Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, discusses with the Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a number of regional and international issues, and the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions, and achieving stability in the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for peace and development for its peoples, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India,” the statement read.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran and Abu Dhabi agreed to “turn the page” and build a future together after BRICS talks in New Delhi.

Iran-UAE thaw after BRICS talks in India? Pezeshkian says Tehran and Abu Dhabi to ‘turn the page’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. In the last three days, PM Modi held 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, besides several pull-aside meetings with world leaders and international institutions. On day two, the Indian prime minister held talks with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Indonesia, Philippines, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. Earlier on Friday (Sep 11) and Saturday (Sep 12), PM Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.<h2>PM Modi meets South Africa’s Ramaphosa</h2>PM Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review the “full breadth” of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered the India-SACU trade agreement, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies and skilling.“Our partnership is rooted in history and firmly focused on the future,” PM Modi said, adding that India would work with South Africa on Africa’s progress, Global South priorities and a more balanced global order.The group was initially called BRIC with founding members India, China, Russia, and Brazil, 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.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delighted to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Delhi. We reviewed the full breadth of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership including: The India-SACU trade agreement. Mining and critical minerals. Infrastructure. Food security.… <a href="https://t.co/8NcemThBdq">pic.twitter.com/8NcemThBdq</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2099112559182053782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>PM Modi holds series of bilaterals on Day 2</h2>PM Modi also met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, describing the interaction as a “lovely” catch-up. The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Indonesia partnership across a range of sectors.With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, PM Modi discussed regional issues and the growing India-Egypt friendship.Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was another key interlocutor. PM Modi said the two leaders reviewed the momentum in their Strategic Partnership, with economic linkages, technology, trade, space, innovation and creative industries among the focus areas. They also discussed strengthening India-ASEAN engagement.PM Modi separately met Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, recalling his 2018 visit to Uganda and the Kampala Principles guiding India’s engagement with Africa. Healthcare, agriculture, digital technologies and capacity building featured in their discussions.PM Modi met Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye and congratulated him on Burundi assuming the African Union chair. The two sides discussed development cooperation, capacity building, youth skilling, agriculture and clean energy.Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on his first India visit as president, held talks with PM Modi on giving fresh momentum to the strategic partnership, including trade, investment, energy, technology and connectivity.PM Modi also met Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima. Their discussions covered trade, power, clean energy, fertilisers, defence, health, technology and capacity building.&nbsp;

PM Modi held eight bilaterals with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Uganda, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria on Day 2 of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. In the last three days, PM Modi held 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, besides several pull-aside meetings with world leaders and international institutions. On day two, the Indian prime minister held talks with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Indonesia, Philippines, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. Earlier on Friday (Sep 11) and Saturday (Sep 12), PM Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. PM Modi meets South Africa’s Ramaphosa PM Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review the “full breadth” of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered the India-SACU trade agreement, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies and skilling. “Our partnership is rooted in history and firmly focused on the future,” PM Modi said, adding that India would work with South Africa on Africa’s progress, Global South priorities and a more balanced global order. The group was initially called BRIC with founding members India, China, Russia, and Brazil, 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.

PM Modi held eight bilaterals with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Uganda, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria on Day 2 of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

BRICS Summit Day 2: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Ramaphosa, other leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday (Sep 13) called for a stronger role for the Global South in shaping international rules at the 10th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. Addressing Session II of the high-stakes summit, Xi said international law must apply equally to all countries and rejected the idea that powerful nations can dictate global affairs. He also unveiled five initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation within the grouping. Next year, China will hold the BRICS presidency.<h2>‘Might makes right does not hold’</h2>“A world without rules is like a crossroads without traffic lights, where chaos and disorder are all but guaranteed,” Xi said, according to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry. “Fairness and justice are a universal aspiration, and international rules must be written by all countries.”“The logic of ‘might makes right’ does not hold and should have been discarded long ago,” Xi added, urging Global South countries to jointly defend sovereign equality, noninterference and the peaceful settlement of disputes.His remarks came against the backdrop of the New Delhi Declaration, in which BRICS expressed concern over global polarisation, distrust and ongoing conflicts.The grouping voiced “deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia” and called for “maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.”Earlier on Saturday (Sep 12), Xi expressed concerns over the war in the Middle East, saying that the conflict does not serve the interests of the world.“As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added.<h2>Xi’s five initiatives</h2>Open-source and inclusive AI: China proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, with cooperation on large language models, specialised seminars and training courses to create an open AI ecosystem.Trade and investment facilitation: Beijing proposed a BRICS special economic zone partnership, including an intelligent portal for coordinating policies. China will also host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year.Digital industry cooperation: Xi proposed a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside digital skills training, technological exchanges and industrial alignment to support the digital economy.Intelligent manufacturing cooperation: China offered to assist BRICS countries in developing smart factories and standards while promoting the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing.Science and technology talent development: Beijing proposed a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint training and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will also launch a youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Xi Jinping attended Session II of the 18th BRICS Summit and delivered an important statement. President Xi proposed five initiatives for deepening BRICS cooperation: 1️⃣ The open source and inclusive AI initiative. China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI… <a href="https://t.co/vkrgElHs7m">pic.twitter.com/vkrgElHs7m</a>&mdash; Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) <a href="https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/2099058641869398498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>BRICS pushes diplomacy</h2>The BRICS declaration called for dialogue and diplomacy in West Asia, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.The bloc also reaffirmed support for a just and lasting Israeli-Palestinian settlement, called for an end to economic measures against Cuba and condemned conflicts in Sudan and Syria.&nbsp;

Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit called for a stronger Global South role in global affairs, rejected ‘might makes right’ and unveiled five initiatives spanning AI, trade, digital economy and technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday (Sep 13) called for a stronger role for the Global South in shaping international rules at the 10th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. Addressing Session II of the high-stakes summit, Xi said international law must apply equally to all countries and rejected the idea that powerful nations can dictate global affairs. He also unveiled five initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation within the grouping. Next year, China will hold the BRICS presidency. ‘Might makes right does not hold’ “A world without rules is like a crossroads without traffic lights, where chaos and disorder are all but guaranteed,” Xi said, according to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry. “Fairness and justice are a universal aspiration, and international rules must be written by all countries.” “The logic of ‘might makes right’ does not hold and should have been discarded long ago,” Xi added, urging Global South countries to jointly defend sovereign equality, noninterference and the peaceful settlement of disputes. His remarks came against the backdrop of the New Delhi Declaration, in which BRICS expressed concern over global polarisation, distrust and ongoing conflicts. The grouping voiced “deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia” and called for “maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.” Earlier on Saturday (Sep 12), Xi expressed concerns over the war in the Middle East, saying that the conflict does not serve the interests of the world. “As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added. Xi’s five initiatives Open-source and inclusive AI: China proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, with cooperation on large language models, specialised seminars and training courses to create an open AI ecosystem. Trade and investment facilitation: Beijing proposed a BRICS special economic zone partnership, including an intelligent portal for coordinating policies. China will also host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year. Digital industry cooperation: Xi proposed a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside digital skills training, technological exchanges and industrial alignment to support the digital economy. Intelligent manufacturing cooperation: China offered to assist BRICS countries in developing smart factories and standards while promoting the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing. Science and technology talent development: Beijing proposed a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint training and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will also launch a youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.

Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit called for a stronger Global South role in global affairs, rejected ‘might makes right’ and unveiled five initiatives spanning AI, trade, digital economy and technology.

‘Might makes right does not hold’: China’s Xi challenges global power politics with 5 BRICS initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held key bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping, Putin, Pezeshkian and other world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held key bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping, Putin, Pezeshkian and other world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

BRICS Summit 2026: Inside PM Modi’s meetings with global leaders

Buried inside the 45-page New Delhi Declaration is a wager: that climate resilience sells better to a fractious bloc of eleven nations when it's framed as economics rather than environmentalism.&nbsp;That reading came up again and again as analysts picked through the document this week. "What is interesting about the declaration, apart from its inordinate length, is that it is profoundly multilateral," said Rathin Roy, an economic advisor and dean at GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences.&nbsp;He pointed out that wherever climate change appears in the text, the word "including" tends to come first.&nbsp;"So this is sustainable development, including climate. They are weaving in a broader lens." Roy also noted something missing entirely: the phrase "net zero," a staple of European climate diplomacy, doesn't appear once. "The framing is profoundly different from the way the Europeans framed the climate change problem," he said.&nbsp;The declaration takes a direct shot at the EU's carbon border tax, calling such measures "unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist." Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, called this a deliberate stance.&nbsp;&nbsp;"BRICS is determined to chart its own course on climate and energy, one that emphasizes the alignment of development and decarbonization rather than treating them as competing priorities," he said, adding that the bloc's insistence on keeping fossil fuels in the mix for developing economies "signals that these leading Global South countries intend to define the terms of their own energy transition."&nbsp;Ambassador Manjeev Puri of The Energy and Resources Institute framed the summit itself as an act of endurance. "It is important that all these nations, who may have political disagreements, have stood together in unity on the critical issues of development and sustainability," he said, citing shared pushback against unilateralism and renewed work on cross-border payments and supply chains.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/differences-should-not-become-disputes-modi-xi-stress-long-term-india-china-ties-during-bilateral-talks-1789223230359">‘Differences should not become disputes’: Modi, Xi stress long term India-China ties during bilateral talks</a>&nbsp;Disaster preparedness got specific attention. Ulka Kelkar of WRI India welcomed new voluntary principles requiring climate risk to be built into land-use planning, along with a proposed BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre. "This would be crucial to prevent maladaptation," she said, adding that BRICS nations are increasingly climate finance donors, not just recipients.&nbsp;On energy manufacturing, Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of the National Solar Energy Federation of India, pointed to scale: BRICS nations already hold more than half the world's installed renewable capacity, he said, and a proposed Solar Photovoltaic Cooperation Roadmap "provides an important opportunity to translate this scale into deeper industrial cooperation."&nbsp;Climate researcher Archana Chaudhary summed up the shift: "It does not treat climate resilience as a standalone environmental issue. It places it inside a wider argument about economic resilience, industrial capacity, trade, finance and national policy space."&nbsp;Whether that argument survives contact with rising debt burdens and diverging national interests, analysts said, is next year's question.

The New Delhi Declaration places climate resilience within BRICS' broader economic, trade, energy and development agenda, emphasising climate action alongside industrial growth, finance and national policy priorities.

Buried inside the 45-page New Delhi Declaration is a wager: that climate resilience sells better to a fractious bloc of eleven nations when it's framed as economics rather than environmentalism. That reading came up again and again as analysts picked through the document this week. "What is interesting about the declaration, apart from its inordinate length, is that it is profoundly multilateral," said Rathin Roy, an economic advisor and dean at GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He pointed out that wherever climate change appears in the text, the word "including" tends to come first. "So this is sustainable development, including climate. They are weaving in a broader lens." Roy also noted something missing entirely: the phrase "net zero," a staple of European climate diplomacy, doesn't appear once. "The framing is profoundly different from the way the Europeans framed the climate change problem," he said. The declaration takes a direct shot at the EU's carbon border tax, calling such measures "unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist." Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, called this a deliberate stance. "BRICS is determined to chart its own course on climate and energy, one that emphasizes the alignment of development and decarbonization rather than treating them as competing priorities," he said, adding that the bloc's insistence on keeping fossil fuels in the mix for developing economies "signals that these leading Global South countries intend to define the terms of their own energy transition." Ambassador Manjeev Puri of The Energy and Resources Institute framed the summit itself as an act of endurance. "It is important that all these nations, who may have political disagreements, have stood together in unity on the critical issues of development and sustainability," he said, citing shared pushback against unilateralism and renewed work on cross-border payments and supply chains. Also Read: ‘Differences should not become disputes’: Modi, Xi stress long term India-China ties during bilateral talks Disaster preparedness got specific attention. Ulka Kelkar of WRI India welcomed new voluntary principles requiring climate risk to be built into land-use planning, along with a proposed BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre. "This would be crucial to prevent maladaptation," she said, adding that BRICS nations are increasingly climate finance donors, not just recipients. On energy manufacturing, Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of the National Solar Energy Federation of India, pointed to scale: BRICS nations already hold more than half the world's installed renewable capacity, he said, and a proposed Solar Photovoltaic Cooperation Roadmap "provides an important opportunity to translate this scale into deeper industrial cooperation." Climate researcher Archana Chaudhary summed up the shift: "It does not treat climate resilience as a standalone environmental issue. It places it inside a wider argument about economic resilience, industrial capacity, trade, finance and national policy space." Whether that argument survives contact with rising debt burdens and diverging national interests, analysts said, is next year's question.

The New Delhi Declaration places climate resilience within BRICS' broader economic, trade, energy and development agenda, emphasising climate action alongside industrial growth, finance and national policy priorities.

BRICS stitches climate into its trade and growth agenda, experts say

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting an extravagant gala dinner for world leaders attending the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). The dinner puts India’s rich culinary diversity in the spotlight, with a menu bringing together regional flavours, traditional recipes and modern presentation.From the Himalayas to southern India, and from Gujarati delicacies to the iconic sweets of Old Delhi, the menu takes guests on a culinary journey across the country. It brings together the richness of Indian cuisine with age-old traditions, offering world leaders a taste of India beyond the summit halls.<h2>What’s in the BRICS menu?</h2>Starters<ul><li>Khandvi Mille - Feuille: Steamed gram-flour roll, tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves. Served with Kesar mango, micro-greens and yoghurt dressing</li><li>Khumb Galouti: Tender pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls, served on a bed of sheermal bread</li></ul>Main Course<ul><li>Paneer Lababdar: Soft cottage cheese cubes simmered in a rich gravy of shallots and tomato</li><li>Gucchi Marmik: Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus, gently simmered with saffron, raisins, and mamra almonds</li><li>Carrot Bean Poriyal: Blend of carrots and green beans toasted in aromatic South Indian spices in hand-pressed virgin coconut oil and finished with freshly grated coconut</li><li>Thakkali Belle Saaru: Light lentil broth of toor dal enriched with fresh tomatoes and curry leaves Millet Pulao: Fragrant basmati rice and pearl millets cooked with spices and seasonal aromatics</li><li>Beetroot Raita: Chilled yoghurt with beetroot and fresh herbs</li></ul>(Assorted Indian Breads)Dessert<ul><li>Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi: Seasonal fruits and lightly whipped cream paired with a crispy sweet fritter</li><li>Shahtoot Phirni: Slow-cooked pudding of milk and rice, topped with sweet mulberries and gold leaf</li></ul>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BRICS Summit 2026: Menu of the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BRICS2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRICS2026</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GalaDinner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GalaDinner</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BRICSleaders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRICSleaders</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GlobalLeaders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GlobalLeaders</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BharatMandapam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatMandapam</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONAtBRICS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONAtBRICS</a> <a href="https://t.co/rbL8zDUVMg">pic.twitter.com/rbL8zDUVMg</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2098796854335230000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONAtBRICS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONAtBRICS</a> | New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders at Bharat Mandapam . . (Video: ANI) <a href="https://t.co/akykdja2xU">pic.twitter.com/akykdja2xU</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2098797010140962895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At the BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi’s gala dinner menu takes world leaders on a culinary journey across India, blending regional flavours, traditional recipes and modern presentation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting an extravagant gala dinner for world leaders attending the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). The dinner puts India’s rich culinary diversity in the spotlight, with a menu bringing together regional flavours, traditional recipes and modern presentation. From the Himalayas to southern India, and from Gujarati delicacies to the iconic sweets of Old Delhi, the menu takes guests on a culinary journey across the country. It brings together the richness of Indian cuisine with age-old traditions, offering world leaders a taste of India beyond the summit halls. What’s in the BRICS menu? Starters Khandvi Mille - Feuille: Steamed gram-flour roll, tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves. Served with Kesar mango, micro-greens and yoghurt dressing Khumb Galouti: Tender pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls, served on a bed of sheermal bread Main Course Paneer Lababdar: Soft cottage cheese cubes simmered in a rich gravy of shallots and tomato Gucchi Marmik: Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus, gently simmered with saffron, raisins, and mamra almonds Carrot Bean Poriyal: Blend of carrots and green beans toasted in aromatic South Indian spices in hand-pressed virgin coconut oil and finished with freshly grated coconut Thakkali Belle Saaru: Light lentil broth of toor dal enriched with fresh tomatoes and curry leaves Millet Pulao: Fragrant basmati rice and pearl millets cooked with spices and seasonal aromatics Beetroot Raita: Chilled yoghurt with beetroot and fresh herbs (Assorted Indian Breads) Dessert Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi: Seasonal fruits and lightly whipped cream paired with a crispy sweet fritter Shahtoot Phirni: Slow-cooked pudding of milk and rice, topped with sweet mulberries and gold leaf

At the BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi’s gala dinner menu takes world leaders on a culinary journey across India, blending regional flavours, traditional recipes and modern presentation.

What’s in the menu for BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by PM Modi? Details here

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.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BRICS Summit 2026 gets underway in Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/WN7YWi5bTg">pic.twitter.com/WN7YWi5bTg</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2098724059156791734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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.

<h2>India hosts 18th BRICS Summit</h2>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.”

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. 

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.

At the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi, Putin and Xi shared a lighthearted moment, holding hands and laughing as the leaders highlighted partnership amid global geopolitical tensions.

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday (Sep 12) said that the Middle East war does not serve the interests of the world. Xi made the remarks at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. The high-stakes summit is also attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This comes as the US and Iran continue to trade strikes, with the conflict going on for more than six months. The tensions in the Gulf have fueled a global energy crisis due to the disruption of the key shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz.“As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua.It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added.<h2>BRICS should oppose sovereignty ‘violations’</h2>Xi added that BRICS member states should oppose sovereignty violations and work to safeguard peace.BRICS should “oppose violations of other countries’ sovereignty and interference in their internal affairs, (and) constructively participate in resolving hotspot issues,” Xi said.Speaking about global trade, Xi said, “We should support the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and reject all forms of protectionism.”<h2>China to take over BRICS presidency next year</h2>Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, Xi also said that China will take over the BRICS presidency next year. The Chinese president began his two-day visit to New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12), marking his first trip to India in seven years. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.This year, India assumed the chairmanship of 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.&nbsp;

Xi Jinping said the Middle East war does not serve global interests, urging BRICS nations to oppose sovereignty violations and work towards peace as US-Iran tensions continue.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday (Sep 12) said that the Middle East war does not serve the interests of the world. Xi made the remarks at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. The high-stakes summit is also attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This comes as the US and Iran continue to trade strikes, with the conflict going on for more than six months. The tensions in the Gulf have fueled a global energy crisis due to the disruption of the key shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz. “As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added. BRICS should oppose sovereignty ‘violations’ Xi added that BRICS member states should oppose sovereignty violations and work to safeguard peace. BRICS should “oppose violations of other countries’ sovereignty and interference in their internal affairs, (and) constructively participate in resolving hotspot issues,” Xi said. Speaking about global trade, Xi said, “We should support the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and reject all forms of protectionism.” China to take over BRICS presidency next year Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, Xi also said that China will take over the BRICS presidency next year. The Chinese president began his two-day visit to New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12), marking his first trip to India in seven years. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. This year, India assumed the chairmanship of 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.

Xi Jinping said the Middle East war does not serve global interests, urging BRICS nations to oppose sovereignty violations and work towards peace as US-Iran tensions continue.

Xi Jinping says Middle East war ‘does not serve’ world’s interests, BRICS should oppose sovereignty violations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi on Friday (Sep 11) on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. The two leaders discussed the wars in West Asia and Ukraine, their impact on the global economy and the need to reform multilateral institutions.<h2>Wars, food security and freedom of navigation</h2>The two leaders discussed the impact of ongoing conflicts on food and fertiliser supplies, along with global food security and freedom of navigation. According to the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, they “had a wide-ranging discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the impact both are having on the global economy, including regarding access to food and fertiliser.” Guterres also “reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation.”Their discussions also touched on sustainable development, renewable energy and human-centric artificial intelligence, as global disruptions continue to put pressure on economies and supply chains.<h2>Push for UN Security Council reform</h2>PM Modi and Guterres also stressed the importance of multipolarity and reforming global institutions to reflect present-day geopolitical realities.“Both leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.The issue carries particular significance for India, which is seeking a larger role in global decision-making. New Delhi formally launched its campaign in July for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term.<h2>India’s BRICS priorities</h2>Guterres congratulated PM Modi on India’s BRICS chairship, while the two leaders discussed priorities for the grouping, including strengthening multilateral institutions.India is hosting the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from member and partner countries. The grouping has become an important platform for emerging economies to coordinate on issues ranging from trade and finance to technology, energy and development.Guterres is scheduled to address the summit’s Open Session on September 13. Modi also wished the UN chief well for the remainder of his tenure, which ends in December 2026.

Modi and Guterres discussed the West Asia and Ukraine wars, global food security, freedom of navigation and UN reforms on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi on Friday (Sep 11) on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. The two leaders discussed the wars in West Asia and Ukraine, their impact on the global economy and the need to reform multilateral institutions. Wars, food security and freedom of navigation The two leaders discussed the impact of ongoing conflicts on food and fertiliser supplies, along with global food security and freedom of navigation. According to the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, they “had a wide-ranging discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the impact both are having on the global economy, including regarding access to food and fertiliser.” Guterres also “reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation.” Their discussions also touched on sustainable development, renewable energy and human-centric artificial intelligence, as global disruptions continue to put pressure on economies and supply chains. Push for UN Security Council reform PM Modi and Guterres also stressed the importance of multipolarity and reforming global institutions to reflect present-day geopolitical realities. “Both leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said. The issue carries particular significance for India, which is seeking a larger role in global decision-making. New Delhi formally launched its campaign in July for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term. India’s BRICS priorities Guterres congratulated PM Modi on India’s BRICS chairship, while the two leaders discussed priorities for the grouping, including strengthening multilateral institutions. India is hosting the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from member and partner countries. The grouping has become an important platform for emerging economies to coordinate on issues ranging from trade and finance to technology, energy and development. Guterres is scheduled to address the summit’s Open Session on September 13. Modi also wished the UN chief well for the remainder of his tenure, which ends in December 2026.

Modi and Guterres discussed the West Asia and Ukraine wars, global food security, freedom of navigation and UN reforms on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

BRICS Summit: Modi-Guterres discuss West Asia, Ukraine and UN reforms

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Sep 11) slammed the “ugly” economic warfare by Western nations, accusing them of undermining fair economic competition through sanctions, restrictions on trade routes and other measures. He also hailed BRICS as steadily becoming a bigger force in the global economy. The Russian president also compared the growth of BRICS countries, which make up 40 per cent of the global GDP, to that of the 29 per cent share of G7 nations.Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Putin said competition had increasingly taken “ugly forms”, including physical attacks on infrastructure and attempts to restrict international transport.“Sometimes there are measures resorted to of a physical nature, when pipelines are being destroyed, when attempts are undertaken to block international transport corridors, to seize maritime vessels, other illegal restrictions are being applied,” Putin said.He also pointed to the use of secondary sanctions against countries that refuse to align their policies with Western interests. Putin claimed Russia has faced more than 30,000 sanctions, describing the figure as twice the number imposed on all other countries combined.“We’re not against anyone, and what we are doing is not against anyone either. We are in favour of our interests, and we stand ready to work together with all of our partners, old ones and new ones,” he said.<h2>Putin says BRICS outpaces G7</h2>Putin also used the summit to highlight what he described as the growing economic weight of BRICS compared with the Group of Seven. He said BRICS countries accounted for more than 40 per cent of global GDP over the past five years, while the G7 contributed 29 per cent.“Over the last five years, more than 40 per cent of the world GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called G7, the Group of Seven, I don't know why they call that the Group of Seven, stands at only 29 per cent,” Putin said.According to Putin, BRICS countries also accounted for more than half of global economic growth during the period, compared with 18 per cent for the G7.<h2>Putin highlights BRICS corporate power</h2>Putin attributed the bloc’s growth to its large population, expanding domestic markets and rapid urbanisation.He cited Indian company Mahindra, China’s Huawei, Brazil’s Embraer, UAE-based DPO and Russia’s Rosatom as examples of BRICS businesses gaining international influence.“There are many other success stories from our business community, but behind each and every one of them is hard work on a daily basis,” Putin said.

Putin accused the West of “ugly” economic warfare and said BRICS now accounts for over 40 per cent of global GDP, outpacing the G7’s 29 per cent share.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Sep 11) slammed the “ugly” economic warfare by Western nations, accusing them of undermining fair economic competition through sanctions, restrictions on trade routes and other measures. He also hailed BRICS as steadily becoming a bigger force in the global economy. The Russian president also compared the growth of BRICS countries, which make up 40 per cent of the global GDP, to that of the 29 per cent share of G7 nations. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Putin said competition had increasingly taken “ugly forms”, including physical attacks on infrastructure and attempts to restrict international transport. “Sometimes there are measures resorted to of a physical nature, when pipelines are being destroyed, when attempts are undertaken to block international transport corridors, to seize maritime vessels, other illegal restrictions are being applied,” Putin said. He also pointed to the use of secondary sanctions against countries that refuse to align their policies with Western interests. Putin claimed Russia has faced more than 30,000 sanctions, describing the figure as twice the number imposed on all other countries combined. “We’re not against anyone, and what we are doing is not against anyone either. We are in favour of our interests, and we stand ready to work together with all of our partners, old ones and new ones,” he said. Putin says BRICS outpaces G7 Putin also used the summit to highlight what he described as the growing economic weight of BRICS compared with the Group of Seven. He said BRICS countries accounted for more than 40 per cent of global GDP over the past five years, while the G7 contributed 29 per cent. “Over the last five years, more than 40 per cent of the world GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called G7, the Group of Seven, I don't know why they call that the Group of Seven, stands at only 29 per cent,” Putin said. According to Putin, BRICS countries also accounted for more than half of global economic growth during the period, compared with 18 per cent for the G7. Putin highlights BRICS corporate power Putin attributed the bloc’s growth to its large population, expanding domestic markets and rapid urbanisation. He cited Indian company Mahindra, China’s Huawei, Brazil’s Embraer, UAE-based DPO and Russia’s Rosatom as examples of BRICS businesses gaining international influence. “There are many other success stories from our business community, but behind each and every one of them is hard work on a daily basis,” Putin said.

Putin accused the West of “ugly” economic warfare and said BRICS now accounts for over 40 per cent of global GDP, outpacing the G7’s 29 per cent share.

Putin accuses West of ‘ugly’ economic warfare, says BRICS is outpacing G7

Rain lashed across parts of Delhi-NCR on Friday (Sep 11) as the national capital hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit and BRICS Business Forum. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, warning of more rainfall across most parts of the city. The weather warning comes as Delhi hosts the high-stakes summit, with several world leaders and top-level delegations arriving in the capital for the three-day gathering from September 11 to 13.The IMD had forecast thunderstorms and lightning along with light to moderate rain in northern Delhi, followed by moderate to heavy showers in several other areas.<h2>More showers likely over weekend</h2>The wet spell is expected to continue. For Saturday (Sep 12), the weather department has forecast one or two spells of very light to light rain at many places from early morning to forenoon, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Another spell of light to moderate rain is likely from evening to night.The showers are expected to bring down temperatures in the capital. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday (Sep 10), but the maximum temperature is forecast to remain below 33 degrees Celsius from Saturday (Sep 12).Meteorologists have linked the current weather pattern to the movement of the monsoon axis over the region. The axis is expected to shift south, while easterly winds are likely to take over from Friday (Sep 11).This could trigger passing spells of moderate rain across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Rajasthan through the weekend. However, rainfall is expected to remain largely localised, with overall coverage estimated at around 30-40 per cent.<h2>Rain clouds over BRICS events</h2>The weather conditions coincide with key BRICS Summit events at Bharat Mandapam. On Friday (Sep 11), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold key meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.Saturday’s schedule includes a closed-door leaders’ session, the Bharat Innovates Exhibition, a family photograph, a tree-planting ceremony and a gala dinner hosted by PM Modi. The main open session is scheduled for Sunday, when leaders are also expected to oversee the release of the New Delhi Declaration.

Delhi witnessed heavy rain as the IMD issued a red alert amid the BRICS Summit, with more showers, thunderstorms and lightning forecast over the capital through the weekend.

Rain lashed across parts of Delhi-NCR on Friday (Sep 11) as the national capital hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit and BRICS Business Forum. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, warning of more rainfall across most parts of the city. The weather warning comes as Delhi hosts the high-stakes summit, with several world leaders and top-level delegations arriving in the capital for the three-day gathering from September 11 to 13. The IMD had forecast thunderstorms and lightning along with light to moderate rain in northern Delhi, followed by moderate to heavy showers in several other areas. More showers likely over weekend The wet spell is expected to continue. For Saturday (Sep 12), the weather department has forecast one or two spells of very light to light rain at many places from early morning to forenoon, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Another spell of light to moderate rain is likely from evening to night. The showers are expected to bring down temperatures in the capital. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday (Sep 10), but the maximum temperature is forecast to remain below 33 degrees Celsius from Saturday (Sep 12). Meteorologists have linked the current weather pattern to the movement of the monsoon axis over the region. The axis is expected to shift south, while easterly winds are likely to take over from Friday (Sep 11). This could trigger passing spells of moderate rain across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Rajasthan through the weekend. However, rainfall is expected to remain largely localised, with overall coverage estimated at around 30-40 per cent. Rain clouds over BRICS events The weather conditions coincide with key BRICS Summit events at Bharat Mandapam. On Friday (Sep 11), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold key meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Saturday’s schedule includes a closed-door leaders’ session, the Bharat Innovates Exhibition, a family photograph, a tree-planting ceremony and a gala dinner hosted by PM Modi. The main open session is scheduled for Sunday, when leaders are also expected to oversee the release of the New Delhi Declaration.

Delhi witnessed heavy rain as the IMD issued a red alert amid the BRICS Summit, with more showers, thunderstorms and lightning forecast over the capital through the weekend.

Red alert in Delhi: Heavy rain lashes national capital as world leaders arrive for BRICS Summit

In his keynote speech, Union Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the delegation with folded hands in a traditional ‘namaste’ in the capital, New Delhi, for the Opening Session of the BRICS Business Forum. Highlighting India's role as the "pharmacy of the world," he emphasised "economic diplomacy," as the need of the hour.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-india-in-a-potentially-unique-diplomatic-position-1789117524076/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-india-in-a-potentially-unique-diplomatic-position-1789117524076/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Addressing the assembly, he stated, "BRICS today represents almost one-fourth of global trade. India is an important pillar of intra-BRICS trade. Engineering goods and electronics account for the largest segment of India's manufactured exports. India is also known as the pharmacy of the world. We see BRICS as an important market for these and other products that India seeks to take to the world as a trusted partner."&nbsp;WATCH VIDEO HERE-

<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> | BRICS Summit 2026 | Speaking at BRICS Business Forum, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says, &quot;BRICS today represents almost one-fourth of global trade. India is an important pillar of the intra-bricks trade. Engineering goods and electronics account for… <a href="https://t.co/VuyGAhNtj6">pic.twitter.com/VuyGAhNtj6</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2098276165538713959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Union Minister Goyal further urged BRICS member states and partner countries to open their markets, streamline regulatory procedures, and expedite consignment clearances.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-business-forum-begins-in-new-delhi-as-focus-on-trade-ai-finance-and-energy-security-what-to-expect-1789101298537">BRICS Business Forum begins in New Delhi as focus on trade, AI, finance and energy security. What to expect</a>&nbsp;Beyond export statistics, the minister framed India’s economic growth as a stabilising force for the Global South. He pointed out that transparent supply chains, digital public infrastructure, and mutual trust must form the core of future economic interactions. By leveraging technologies like India Stack and automated customs interfaces, member nations could drastically cut transaction costs and eliminate operational bottlenecks that historically delayed cross-border commerce.&nbsp;The minister's call for action resonated strongly with business leaders present in the hall. Representatives from member nations voiced support for developing synchronised trade standards, particularly in healthcare logistics and renewable technology. As global markets face ongoing supply chain realignments, India’s positioning as a resilient manufacturing hub and reliable trade ally gained renewed traction.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pm-modi-calls-for-positive-meaningful-talks-ahead-of-brics-summit-1789100434885">PM Modi calls for 'positive, meaningful' talks ahead of BRICS Summit</a>&nbsp;Closing his address, Goyal called for a collaborative framework that prioritises equitable growth over protectionism. He invited international delegations to participate directly in India's expanding industrial corridors, emphasising that shared prosperity within BRICS hinges on open channels, clear regulatory pathways, and sustained economic diplomacy.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the BRICS delegation, emphasising economic diplomacy, market access, regulatory simplification, and India's role as a trusted exporter and the world's pharmacy.

In his keynote speech, Union Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the delegation with folded hands in a traditional ‘namaste’ in the capital, New Delhi, for the Opening Session of the BRICS Business Forum. Highlighting India's role as the "pharmacy of the world," he emphasised "economic diplomacy," as the need of the hour. https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-india-in-a-potentially-unique-diplomatic-position-1789117524076/embed Addressing the assembly, he stated, "BRICS today represents almost one-fourth of global trade. India is an important pillar of intra-BRICS trade. Engineering goods and electronics account for the largest segment of India's manufactured exports. India is also known as the pharmacy of the world. We see BRICS as an important market for these and other products that India seeks to take to the world as a trusted partner." WATCH VIDEO HERE-

Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the BRICS delegation, emphasising economic diplomacy, market access, regulatory simplification, and India's role as a trusted exporter and the world's pharmacy.

‘Economic diplomacy need of the hour’: Piyush Goyal pushes for simplified trade at BRICS Business Forum

New Delhi is preparing to roll out a cultural red carpet for the visiting spouses and family members of BRICS leaders, with an extensive itinerary covering India’s political heritage, modern art and traditional crafts. The cultural programme has been planned alongside the three-day BRICS summit beginning September 11. The visitors are scheduled to explore some of Delhi’s most prominent cultural institutions, including the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium.<h2>BRICS Leaders’ family members to visit key Delhi landmarks</h2>The visiting dignitaries are staying at three prominent Delhi hotels. The spouse of Burundi’s President is staying at The Lalit, while the spouse of the Philippines President is staying at Taj Mahal Hotel. The daughter and son-in-law of Iran’s President, along with the spouse of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, are staying at The Oberoi. Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is expected to be among the first major stops on the itinerary.&nbsp;“A designated museum official will accompany the visitors and take them through exhibits documenting India’s political journey and the lives and contributions of its prime ministers. The group will also visit the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, where a special BRICS Bazaar is being organised on September 12. The bazaar will feature crafts and products from BRICS countries, turning the event into a showcase of the grouping’s cultural diversity,” he said, asking not to be named. The visit to the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy is expected to highlight India’s traditional craftsmanship while also providing a platform to showcase cultural products from across the expanded BRICS grouping.<h2>Lunch at Indian Accent, visit to NGMA</h2>The itinerary also includes lunch at Indian Accent at The Lodhi, followed by a visit to Jaipur House, which houses the National Gallery of Modern Art. “He added that a lunch has been planned at Indian Accent at The Lodhi, followed by a visit to Jaipur House, which houses the NGMA. “The NGMA visit will give the guests a glimpse of India’s modern and contemporary artistic traditions,” the officer added.” The NGMA stop will give the visiting family members an opportunity to experience India’s modern and contemporary art traditions. Another major stop on the programme is the Central Cottage Industries Emporium at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vladimir-putin-in-new-delhi-for-brics-summit-russia-india-defence-energy-and-nuclear-ties-in-focus-ahead-of-meeting-with-pm-modi-1789091415829">Vladimir Putin in New Delhi for BRICS Summit: Russia-India defence, energy and nuclear ties in focus ahead of meeting with PM Modi</a><h2>Cottage emporium to close temporarily for VIP visit</h2>The Central Cottage Industries Emporium is expected to remain closed to regular customers for several hours to facilitate the VIP visit. The spouses are scheduled to arrive at around 2pm, with the programme expected to continue until approximately 4pm. Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened in view of the high-profile movements. Multiple quick reaction teams (QRTs), several companies of Delhi Police and ambulances are being deployed at key locations and along the designated routes.The additional security deployment is aimed at ensuring smooth movement of the visiting dignitaries while maintaining emergency-response preparedness.&nbsp;Officials have also kept the itinerary flexible in case of rain or changes in movement requirements. The Cottage Emporium visit could be adjusted depending on weather conditions. “The carefully planned programme is more than a ceremonial diversion. It offers India an opportunity to showcase its political heritage, contemporary art and traditional craftsmanship to representatives of the expanded Brics grouping,” said the second officer cited above. The programme is expected to serve as both a cultural showcase and a diplomatic engagement, giving the visiting spouses and family members a closer look at India’s political history, artistic traditions and handicraft heritage during the BRICS summit.

BRICS leaders’ spouses and family members will visit Delhi museums, NGMA and craft centres as India showcases its culture during the summit

New Delhi is preparing to roll out a cultural red carpet for the visiting spouses and family members of BRICS leaders, with an extensive itinerary covering India’s political heritage, modern art and traditional crafts. The cultural programme has been planned alongside the three-day BRICS summit beginning September 11. The visitors are scheduled to explore some of Delhi’s most prominent cultural institutions, including the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. BRICS Leaders’ family members to visit key Delhi landmarks The visiting dignitaries are staying at three prominent Delhi hotels. The spouse of Burundi’s President is staying at The Lalit, while the spouse of the Philippines President is staying at Taj Mahal Hotel. The daughter and son-in-law of Iran’s President, along with the spouse of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, are staying at The Oberoi. Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is expected to be among the first major stops on the itinerary. “A designated museum official will accompany the visitors and take them through exhibits documenting India’s political journey and the lives and contributions of its prime ministers. The group will also visit the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, where a special BRICS Bazaar is being organised on September 12. The bazaar will feature crafts and products from BRICS countries, turning the event into a showcase of the grouping’s cultural diversity,” he said, asking not to be named. The visit to the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy is expected to highlight India’s traditional craftsmanship while also providing a platform to showcase cultural products from across the expanded BRICS grouping. Lunch at Indian Accent, visit to NGMA The itinerary also includes lunch at Indian Accent at The Lodhi, followed by a visit to Jaipur House, which houses the National Gallery of Modern Art. “He added that a lunch has been planned at Indian Accent at The Lodhi, followed by a visit to Jaipur House, which houses the NGMA. “The NGMA visit will give the guests a glimpse of India’s modern and contemporary artistic traditions,” the officer added.” The NGMA stop will give the visiting family members an opportunity to experience India’s modern and contemporary art traditions. Another major stop on the programme is the Central Cottage Industries Emporium at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan. Also Read: Vladimir Putin in New Delhi for BRICS Summit: Russia-India defence, energy and nuclear ties in focus ahead of meeting with PM Modi Cottage emporium to close temporarily for VIP visit The Central Cottage Industries Emporium is expected to remain closed to regular customers for several hours to facilitate the VIP visit. The spouses are scheduled to arrive at around 2pm, with the programme expected to continue until approximately 4pm. Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened in view of the high-profile movements. Multiple quick reaction teams (QRTs), several companies of Delhi Police and ambulances are being deployed at key locations and along the designated routes. The additional security deployment is aimed at ensuring smooth movement of the visiting dignitaries while maintaining emergency-response preparedness. Officials have also kept the itinerary flexible in case of rain or changes in movement requirements. The Cottage Emporium visit could be adjusted depending on weather conditions. “The carefully planned programme is more than a ceremonial diversion. It offers India an opportunity to showcase its political heritage, contemporary art and traditional craftsmanship to representatives of the expanded Brics grouping,” said the second officer cited above. The programme is expected to serve as both a cultural showcase and a diplomatic engagement, giving the visiting spouses and family members a closer look at India’s political history, artistic traditions and handicraft heritage during the BRICS summit.

BRICS leaders’ family members will tour New Delhi’s museums, art galleries and craft centres as India showcases its heritage during the summit

BRICS Summit 2026: From PM museum to modern art, Delhi rolls out a cultural welcome for leaders' family members

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit and BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi. The summit is expected to be attended by several prominent world leaders from about 30 BRICS member and partner nations. Heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS countries are also expected to be present at the meetings. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has released the official list of participants for the BRICS Summit 2026, along with their expected time of arrival in New Delhi.<h2>When is Putin arriving in New Delhi?</h2>Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in New Delhi on Friday (Sep 11). He will land at Air Force Station Palam at 1:15 am. His visit to India for the BRICS Summit is closely watched, given the uncertain geopolitics in the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. He is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian leader’s trip marks the second visit to India within a year, underlining the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.<h2>When is Xi Jinping arriving in New Delhi?</h2>Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on September 12 at 12:25 pm at Air Force Station Palam. His participation would make the summit particularly significant for India-China ties, with a possible meeting between Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to draw attention on the sidelines.<h2>Iranian President to arrive in New Delhi</h2>Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive at Air Force Station Palam at 2 pm on Friday (Sep 11). His visit is significant as war continues between the United States and Iran. The conflict has threatened security in the Middle East region and rattled the global energy market, sending oil prices to record high levels.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is also expected to arrive at the summit and land later on September 11 at 5:35 pm.<h2>Other BRICS leaders</h2>Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira has arrived in New Delhi on Thursday (Sep 10) night through Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. He will represent Brazil at the summit, with the country being one of the five founding members of BRICS.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to reach Delhi at 9:05 am on Friday (Sep 11) through Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. South Africa is one of the original BRICS expansion members, having joined the grouping in 2011.<h2>Key international figures</h2>The summit will also see the arrival of senior representatives from major international institutions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to reach Delhi at 1:25 pm on Friday (Sep 11). WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected later that night.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff are also scheduled to attend, adding an important multilateral dimension to the summit.<h2>Full schedule of arrivals of world leaders released by MEA:</h2>

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Sr. No.</td><td>Country/ International Organisation</td><td>Name of dignitary</td><td>Arrival Time/Flight</td></tr><tr><td>1.</td><td>Brazil</td><td>H.E. Mr. Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil</td><td>10th September, 2026 ETA: 2150 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>2.</td><td>Russia</td><td>H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0115 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>3.</td><td>WHO</td><td>Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0410 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>4.</td><td>AIIB</td><td>H.E. Ms. Zou Jiayi, President of AIIB</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0825 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>5.</td><td>Uruguay</td><td>H.E. Mr. Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0845 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>6.</td><td>South Africa</td><td>H.E. Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Republic of South Africa</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0905 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>7.</td><td>Uganda</td><td>H.E. Ms. Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Republic of Uganda</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 0915 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>8.</td><td>UNSG</td><td>H. E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of United Nations</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1325 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>9.</td><td>NDB</td><td>H.E. Ms. Dilma Rousseff, President of NDB</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1400 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>10.</td><td>Iran</td><td>H.E. Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1400 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>11.</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>H.E. Mr. &nbsp;Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1445 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>12.</td><td>Egypt</td><td>H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi President of Arab Republic of Egypt</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1735 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>13.</td><td>UAE</td><td>H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1750 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>14.</td><td>Malaysia</td><td>H.E. Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1840 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>15.</td><td>Ethiopia</td><td>H.E. Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 1930 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>16.</td><td>Burundi</td><td>H.E. Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Republic of Burundi</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 2045 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>17.</td><td>Indonesia</td><td>H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 2100 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>18.</td><td>Philippines</td><td>H.E. Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of Republic of the Philippines</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 2200 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>19.</td><td>Cuba</td><td>H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 2250 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>20.</td><td>WTO</td><td>H.E. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of WTO</td><td>11th September, 2026 ETA: 2335 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>21.</td><td>Belarus</td><td>H.E. Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 0535 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>22.</td><td>Vietnam</td><td>H.E. Mr. Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 1105 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>23.</td><td>China</td><td>H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 1225 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>24.</td><td>Bahrain</td><td>H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs the Kingdom of Bahrain</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 1530 hrs (Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi)</td></tr><tr><td>25.</td><td>Kazakhstan</td><td>H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Republic of Kazakhstan</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 1610 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr><tr><td>26.</td><td>Saudi Arabia</td><td>H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia</td><td>12th September, 2026 ETA: 2100 hrs (AFS Palam)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with Putin, Xi Jinping, Pezeshkian, Sisi and other global leaders expected to attend. Here’s the full list of key arrivals and participants.

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit and BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi. The summit is expected to be attended by several prominent world leaders from about 30 BRICS member and partner nations. Heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS countries are also expected to be present at the meetings. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has released the official list of participants for the BRICS Summit 2026, along with their expected time of arrival in New Delhi. When is Putin arriving in New Delhi? Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in New Delhi on Friday (Sep 11). He will land at Air Force Station Palam at 1:15 am. His visit to India for the BRICS Summit is closely watched, given the uncertain geopolitics in the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. He is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian leader’s trip marks the second visit to India within a year, underlining the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. When is Xi Jinping arriving in New Delhi? Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on September 12 at 12:25 pm at Air Force Station Palam. His participation would make the summit particularly significant for India-China ties, with a possible meeting between Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to draw attention on the sidelines. Iranian President to arrive in New Delhi Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive at Air Force Station Palam at 2 pm on Friday (Sep 11). His visit is significant as war continues between the United States and Iran. The conflict has threatened security in the Middle East region and rattled the global energy market, sending oil prices to record high levels. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is also expected to arrive at the summit and land later on September 11 at 5:35 pm. Other BRICS leaders Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira has arrived in New Delhi on Thursday (Sep 10) night through Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. He will represent Brazil at the summit, with the country being one of the five founding members of BRICS. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to reach Delhi at 9:05 am on Friday (Sep 11) through Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. South Africa is one of the original BRICS expansion members, having joined the grouping in 2011. Key international figures The summit will also see the arrival of senior representatives from major international institutions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to reach Delhi at 1:25 pm on Friday (Sep 11). WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected later that night. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff are also scheduled to attend, adding an important multilateral dimension to the summit. Full schedule of arrivals of world leaders released by MEA:

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with Putin, Xi Jinping, Pezeshkian, Sisi and other global leaders expected to attend. Here’s the full list of key arrivals and participants.

From Putin, Xi to Pezeshkian: Who is coming when for BRICS Summit in New Delhi? Check full schedule

Can BRICS emerge as a genuine counterweight to the West?

As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the expanded grouping is attracting fresh attention as the global balance of power undergoes major changes. China, Russia, India and other BRICS members are pushing for greater cooperation across trade, finance, technology and the wider Global South.

The bloc has also discussed local-currency trade and alternative payment mechanisms, raising questions about the long-term dominance of Western-led financial systems. But BRICS is far from a unified anti-Western alliance. India continues to maintain strategic partnerships with the United States and other Western powers, while differences between BRICS members could make deeper coordination difficult.

With Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and other leaders expected in New Delhi, the 2026 summit could reveal how far BRICS can actually go in reshaping the global power equation.

Can BRICS become a true counterweight to the West — or will its internal divisions limit its ambitions?

 Can Brics Emerge as a Counterweight to the West? 

Delhi is decked up and on high alert ahead of the BRICS Summit, with 15,000 cops, 500 CCTV cameras, traffic controls, mock drills, banners and dazzling lights across the capital.

Delhi is decked up and on high alert ahead of the BRICS Summit, with 15,000 cops, 500 CCTV cameras, traffic controls, mock drills, banners and dazzling lights across the capital.

PICS | From CCTVs to dazzling lights: Delhi gears up for BRICS Summit 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to India this weekend for the 18th BRICS Summit, Beijing has announced, in what would be his first visit to the country since 2019.A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said President Xi would attend the leaders’ meeting in New Delhi on 12–13 September at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India holds the rotating chair of the expanded grouping this year.The announcement comes two days before the summit opens at Bharat Mandapam, the same convention complex that hosted the G20 in 2023. It will be Mr Xi’s first trip to India since an informal summit with PM Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13. <a href="https://t.co/abKPwOyqRm">pic.twitter.com/abKPwOyqRm</a>&mdash; CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) <a href="https://x.com/MFA_China/status/2097989838414713255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Relations between the two Asian giants deteriorated sharply after deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Since then the two leaders have met on the sidelines of other gatherings, including last year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.The New Delhi meeting is expected to include a one-on-one bilerate between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi. Officials on both sides have spent months trying to stabilise the relationship: border talks have continued, some direct flights have resumed and limited border trade has restarted.BRICS now has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. India has framed its chairmanship around the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The agenda is expected to cover supply chains, trade finance, use of national currencies, digital public infrastructure, energy and food security, and reform of global institutions.Russian President Vladimir Putin has already confirmed he will attend. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed and Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto are also expected. Brazil will be represented at foreign minister level because of domestic elections. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is among invited international guests.Collectively, BRICS members account for nearly half the world’s population and about two-fifths of global output measured by purchasing power. India has been careful to present the forum as a development-oriented platform for the Global South rather than an anti-Western bloc.

Relations between the two Asian giants deteriorated sharply after deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Since then the two leaders have met on the sidelines of other gatherings, including last year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to India this weekend for the 18th BRICS Summit, Beijing has announced, in what would be his first visit to the country since 2019. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said President Xi would attend the leaders’ meeting in New Delhi on 12–13 September at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India holds the rotating chair of the expanded grouping this year. The announcement comes two days before the summit opens at Bharat Mandapam, the same convention complex that hosted the G20 in 2023. It will be Mr Xi’s first trip to India since an informal summit with PM Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019.

Relations between the two Asian giants deteriorated sharply after deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Since then the two leaders have met on the sidelines of other gatherings, including last year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.

Xi Jinping to attend BRICS summit in first visit to India since 2019

For a few days, Delhi is no longer just the seat of government, it is becoming a carefully choreographed security zone. As world leaders and senior delegations descend on the capital for the 18th BRICS Summit, the city is operating under a multilayered security architecture covering airports, hotels, roads, the summit venue, airspace and even the borders connecting Delhi with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The summit, being held at Bharat Mandapam, brings together leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries and partner nations. The scale of the event has triggered a security operation comparable to the arrangements seen during the 2023 G20 Summit. For ordinary Delhi residents, that security operation will be visible in the form of traffic restrictions, diversions, heightened police presence and tighter surveillance. For the security agencies, however, the operation goes much deeper.<h2>A security grid stretching across the Capital</h2>The BRICS security plan is not confined to Bharat Mandapam. The security footprint stretches from Indira Gandhi International Airport to the hotels hosting foreign leaders and delegations, and onwards to the summit venue at Pragati Maidan. Around 25,000 personnel, including more than 100 NSG commandos, have been reported as part of the broader security deployment, while newer reports put the overall deployment closer to 30,000 personnel when Delhi Police and paramilitary forces covering airports, hotels and the summit venue are counted. The city has also been divided into security sectors, with senior police officers placed in charge of individual zones to enable faster coordination during VVIP movements.<h2>From airport to hotel: The first layer of the fortress</h2>The security operation begins even before foreign leaders leave their aircraft. With special aircraft and additional delegation flights arriving in Delhi, airport operations have been placed under heightened coordination. Reports indicate that Delhi is preparing for a significant increase in special and charter flights around the summit period. The airport-to-hotel corridors are being treated as critical VVIP routes, with police and security agencies preparing for convoy movements and temporary traffic regulation. The objective is to ensure that a leader's journey from the aircraft to the hotel, and later from the hotel to Bharat Mandapam, happens with minimum exposure and maximum control.<h2>Hotels become temporary security bubbles</h2>The Capital's luxury hotels are another crucial component of the security architecture. Several prominent hotels in areas such as Chanakyapuri and central and south Delhi are hosting foreign leaders and delegations. Security checks have been intensified, with hotel employees subjected to verification and security personnel deployed around the buildings. In some cases, entire floors have been reserved for individual leaders and their delegations. But the hotels are not merely accommodation. They are also becoming temporary diplomatic and communications hubs, with dedicated spaces being prepared for secure communication with governments back home. That turns each hotel hosting a world leader into a mini high-security zone.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-summit-is-a-large-logistical-exercise-1300-journalists-expected-mea-official-says-1788954762516">BRICS Summit is a ‘large logistical exercise’, 1300 Journalists expected, MEA official says</a><h2>The anti-drone shield</h2>One of the most important changes in modern VVIP security is happening above ground. Delhi's security architecture includes anti-drone measures and aerial surveillance, reflecting the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems around high-profile international events. The aerial restrictions extend beyond Delhi itself. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has temporarily restricted flying-training operations in seven states during the summit period, while restrictions have also been placed on several categories of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles within specified radii around Delhi. In other words, the security perimeter is not simply a line drawn around Bharat Mandapam. It extends into the sky.<h2>35 roads controlled, 22 diversion points</h2>For Delhi residents, the most visible impact will be on the roads. Traffic authorities have identified more than 35 roads for controlled movement and 22 diversion points as part of the BRICS traffic plan. Major stretches in central, south and southwest Delhi are expected to see restrictions or diversions, particularly during VVIP convoy movements.&nbsp;Routes around Bharat Mandapam, Dhaula Kuan, Mahipalpur, Sardar Patel Marg, Akbar Road, Teen Murti Marg, Janpath, Shanti Path, Mathura Road and several other key corridors are among those likely to experience heightened regulation. The important point for commuters is that a “controlled road” does not necessarily mean a road will remain permanently closed. Traffic decisions can change in real time depending on the movement of VVIP convoys.<h2>Why Delhi metro becomes the safer bet</h2>With traffic restrictions expected across several important corridors, authorities have advised commuters to plan journeys in advance and use public transport where possible. For airport and railway-station passengers, additional travel time is particularly important because VVIP movements can temporarily affect road traffic. The Delhi Metro, meanwhile, is expected to remain a comparatively reliable option because the main restrictions are focused on road movement. For residents, the message is straightforward: if you have an important journey during the summit, do not rely on your usual travel time.<h2>Intelligence sharing across Delhi-NCR</h2>The security operation also extends beyond Delhi Police jurisdiction. Delhi Police has held coordination meetings with police and traffic authorities in neighbouring Ghaziabad and Noida, focusing on border vigilance, intelligence sharing, suspicious activity, aerial surveillance, emergency response and movement management. This is significant because a high-profile diplomatic event cannot be secured by looking only at what happens inside the New Delhi district. The security perimeter has to account for Delhi-NCR as one interconnected operational space.

BRICS Summit 2026: Inside Delhi’s massive security arrangements, from VVIP routes and anti-drone systems to hotels, airports, traffic curbs and surveillance

For a few days, Delhi is no longer just the seat of government, it is becoming a carefully choreographed security zone. As world leaders and senior delegations descend on the capital for the 18th BRICS Summit, the city is operating under a multilayered security architecture covering airports, hotels, roads, the summit venue, airspace and even the borders connecting Delhi with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The summit, being held at Bharat Mandapam, brings together leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries and partner nations. The scale of the event has triggered a security operation comparable to the arrangements seen during the 2023 G20 Summit. For ordinary Delhi residents, that security operation will be visible in the form of traffic restrictions, diversions, heightened police presence and tighter surveillance. For the security agencies, however, the operation goes much deeper. A security grid stretching across the Capital The BRICS security plan is not confined to Bharat Mandapam. The security footprint stretches from Indira Gandhi International Airport to the hotels hosting foreign leaders and delegations, and onwards to the summit venue at Pragati Maidan. Around 25,000 personnel, including more than 100 NSG commandos, have been reported as part of the broader security deployment, while newer reports put the overall deployment closer to 30,000 personnel when Delhi Police and paramilitary forces covering airports, hotels and the summit venue are counted. The city has also been divided into security sectors, with senior police officers placed in charge of individual zones to enable faster coordination during VVIP movements. From airport to hotel: The first layer of the fortress The security operation begins even before foreign leaders leave their aircraft. With special aircraft and additional delegation flights arriving in Delhi, airport operations have been placed under heightened coordination. Reports indicate that Delhi is preparing for a significant increase in special and charter flights around the summit period. The airport-to-hotel corridors are being treated as critical VVIP routes, with police and security agencies preparing for convoy movements and temporary traffic regulation. The objective is to ensure that a leader's journey from the aircraft to the hotel, and later from the hotel to Bharat Mandapam, happens with minimum exposure and maximum control. Hotels become temporary security bubbles The Capital's luxury hotels are another crucial component of the security architecture. Several prominent hotels in areas such as Chanakyapuri and central and south Delhi are hosting foreign leaders and delegations. Security checks have been intensified, with hotel employees subjected to verification and security personnel deployed around the buildings. In some cases, entire floors have been reserved for individual leaders and their delegations. But the hotels are not merely accommodation. They are also becoming temporary diplomatic and communications hubs, with dedicated spaces being prepared for secure communication with governments back home. That turns each hotel hosting a world leader into a mini high-security zone. Also Read: BRICS Summit is a ‘large logistical exercise’, 1300 Journalists expected, MEA official says The anti-drone shield One of the most important changes in modern VVIP security is happening above ground. Delhi's security architecture includes anti-drone measures and aerial surveillance, reflecting the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems around high-profile international events. The aerial restrictions extend beyond Delhi itself. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has temporarily restricted flying-training operations in seven states during the summit period, while restrictions have also been placed on several categories of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles within specified radii around Delhi. In other words, the security perimeter is not simply a line drawn around Bharat Mandapam. It extends into the sky. 35 roads controlled, 22 diversion points For Delhi residents, the most visible impact will be on the roads. Traffic authorities have identified more than 35 roads for controlled movement and 22 diversion points as part of the BRICS traffic plan. Major stretches in central, south and southwest Delhi are expected to see restrictions or diversions, particularly during VVIP convoy movements. Routes around Bharat Mandapam, Dhaula Kuan, Mahipalpur, Sardar Patel Marg, Akbar Road, Teen Murti Marg, Janpath, Shanti Path, Mathura Road and several other key corridors are among those likely to experience heightened regulation. The important point for commuters is that a “controlled road” does not necessarily mean a road will remain permanently closed. Traffic decisions can change in real time depending on the movement of VVIP convoys. Why Delhi metro becomes the safer bet With traffic restrictions expected across several important corridors, authorities have advised commuters to plan journeys in advance and use public transport where possible. For airport and railway-station passengers, additional travel time is particularly important because VVIP movements can temporarily affect road traffic. The Delhi Metro, meanwhile, is expected to remain a comparatively reliable option because the main restrictions are focused on road movement. For residents, the message is straightforward: if you have an important journey during the summit, do not rely on your usual travel time. Intelligence sharing across Delhi-NCR The security operation also extends beyond Delhi Police jurisdiction. Delhi Police has held coordination meetings with police and traffic authorities in neighbouring Ghaziabad and Noida, focusing on border vigilance, intelligence sharing, suspicious activity, aerial surveillance, emergency response and movement management. This is significant because a high-profile diplomatic event cannot be secured by looking only at what happens inside the New Delhi district. The security perimeter has to account for Delhi-NCR as one interconnected operational space.

New Delhi turns into a high-security citadel for the BRICS Summit as thousands of personnel, anti-drone systems and VVIP routes secure world leaders

BRICS Summit 2026 | Inside Delhi’s BRICS security fortress: VVIP routes, anti-drone systems and over 25,000 cops

India is making final arrangements for the 18th BRICS Summit this weekend, with officials describing the gathering as a large-scale logistical operation designed to keep New Delhi functioning while hosting an expanded bloc of leaders, partners and journalists.Vasudev Ravi, Officer on Special Duty for Press Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the leaders’ meetings would take place on 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam. “On 12th, of course, we’ve put the detailed programme out earlier in the day. 12th is the day when member countries would be having their engagement, and 13th would be the day where partner and invitee countries would be involved,” he said.India has held the BRICS chairship through 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. Officials say more than 350 meetings have already been held across the country. The summit itself, Ravi argued, is the most visible test of that year-long effort.“In terms of organisation of the summit, it is a large logistical exercise for us,” he said. The work has been shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, other government departments, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police. “The challenge, of course, is when large delegations come, and which is also the reason why the summit is being held on a weekend.”The Delhi government has declared Friday 11 September a holiday. Ravi said the day would also be used for side events leading into the summit. “We hope that this exercise that we’ve been undertaking with our colleagues in other ministries in the Government of India over the last few months will lead to a successful summit on the 12th and 13th.”Coverage will be centred on an International Media Centre inside the Bharat Mandapam complex, run by MEA’s External Publicity Division. Ravi said the proximity of the press facility to the summit venue was deliberate. “We expect about 12 to 1,300 journalists in total to be present at the International Media Center on a daily basis during the summit.”He estimated a roughly even split between Indian and foreign reporters. “We expect, I think, a 50-50 ratio, where about 600 to 700 journalists representing domestic outlets and about 600 to 700 journalists representing foreign outlets [will] be present.” Most visiting journalists, he said, were from BRICS members, partner countries or invitee states, with additional participation from international outlets already based in Delhi.Indian missions abroad have been asked to amplify the chairship in local languages. “A lot of our missions and consulates have used local languages to highlight what our presidency has been about, what is the message that we are trying to send across with our priorities for the summit,” Ravi said. “It has been a coordinated exercise, and of course it is our motive to reach out to as many people as we can.”Dedicated BRICS handles have been set up on X, Facebook and Instagram, alongside MEA accounts on YouTube, SoundCloud, Flickr and Snapchat. A dedicated website, brics2026.gov.in, lists meetings held across India. Officials have also issued a QR code linking to summit information.“I think our effort has been to make communication easier for those who are keen on following us,” Ravi said. “A combination of all this would definitely stand you on good ground in terms of gathering information.”The summit comes as BRICS marks two decades since its founding and now includes 11 members plus partner countries.&nbsp;

Coverage will be centred on an International Media Centre inside the Bharat Mandapam complex, run by MEA’s External Publicity Division. The official said the proximity of the press facility to the summit venue was deliberate.

India is making final arrangements for the 18th BRICS Summit this weekend, with officials describing the gathering as a large-scale logistical operation designed to keep New Delhi functioning while hosting an expanded bloc of leaders, partners and journalists. Vasudev Ravi, Officer on Special Duty for Press Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the leaders’ meetings would take place on 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam. “On 12th, of course, we’ve put the detailed programme out earlier in the day. 12th is the day when member countries would be having their engagement, and 13th would be the day where partner and invitee countries would be involved,” he said. India has held the BRICS chairship through 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. Officials say more than 350 meetings have already been held across the country. The summit itself, Ravi argued, is the most visible test of that year-long effort. “In terms of organisation of the summit, it is a large logistical exercise for us,” he said. The work has been shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, other government departments, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police. “The challenge, of course, is when large delegations come, and which is also the reason why the summit is being held on a weekend.” The Delhi government has declared Friday 11 September a holiday. Ravi said the day would also be used for side events leading into the summit. “We hope that this exercise that we’ve been undertaking with our colleagues in other ministries in the Government of India over the last few months will lead to a successful summit on the 12th and 13th.” Coverage will be centred on an International Media Centre inside the Bharat Mandapam complex, run by MEA’s External Publicity Division. Ravi said the proximity of the press facility to the summit venue was deliberate. “We expect about 12 to 1,300 journalists in total to be present at the International Media Center on a daily basis during the summit.” He estimated a roughly even split between Indian and foreign reporters. “We expect, I think, a 50-50 ratio, where about 600 to 700 journalists representing domestic outlets and about 600 to 700 journalists representing foreign outlets [will] be present.” Most visiting journalists, he said, were from BRICS members, partner countries or invitee states, with additional participation from international outlets already based in Delhi. Indian missions abroad have been asked to amplify the chairship in local languages. “A lot of our missions and consulates have used local languages to highlight what our presidency has been about, what is the message that we are trying to send across with our priorities for the summit,” Ravi said. “It has been a coordinated exercise, and of course it is our motive to reach out to as many people as we can.” Dedicated BRICS handles have been set up on X, Facebook and Instagram, alongside MEA accounts on YouTube, SoundCloud, Flickr and Snapchat. A dedicated website, brics2026.gov.in, lists meetings held across India. Officials have also issued a QR code linking to summit information. “I think our effort has been to make communication easier for those who are keen on following us,” Ravi said. “A combination of all this would definitely stand you on good ground in terms of gathering information.” The summit comes as BRICS marks two decades since its founding and now includes 11 members plus partner countries.

Coverage will be centred on an International Media Centre inside the Bharat Mandapam complex, run by MEA’s External Publicity Division. The official said the proximity of the press facility to the summit venue was deliberate.

BRICS Summit is a ‘large logistical exercise’, 1300 Journalists expected, MEA official says

The New Development Bank, established by BRICS nations, aims to direct 40% of its total approved financing toward climate change mitigation and adaptation projects under its 2022–2026 strategy. The target reflects the bank’s focus on sustainable development and climate finance across emerging economies.

BRICS summit 2026: Can BRICS build a stronger global finance system?

Modi-Xi total recall: See the photo journey from the 2019 Mamallapuram summit to Galwan, years of India-China tensions and the 2026 diplomatic thaw

From the warmth of Modi-Xi’s 2019 Mamallapuram summit to Galwan, years of distance and the 2026 diplomatic thaw, see their relationship in pictures

BRICS Summit 2026 | Modi and Xi: The photos that tell the story of India-China ties

The rapid growth of BRICS has turned the grouping of nations into an increasingly influential alternative voice within the global order. BRICS has evolved considerably since its original grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and it now brings together 11 countries after including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Besides, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025, further increasing the grouping’s clout as it commands a substantial share of the world’s population and economic activity.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is notable that all five original BRICS members are also members of the G20. This gives BRICS members the ability to promote their priorities inside the G20 while coordinating separately among themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>BRICS nations demand greater influence for developing countries in financial institutions</h2>&nbsp;BRICS members demand greater influence for developing countries in institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, while also supporting reforms of global governance.&nbsp;BRICS countries can coordinate on issues where their interests overlap, like reform of global financial institutions, greater representation for emerging economies, development finance, trade and the use of national currencies.&nbsp;As BRICS gathers momentum and bargaining power, one question is increasingly becoming significant. Diplomats and strategists are now analysing whether BRICS can emerge as an effective “bloc within a bloc” in the G20 Leaders Summit and present a distinct collective voice.&nbsp;<h2>G20 struggling to maintain consensus</h2>&nbsp;The probability of such a situation gains importance as the G20 itself is struggling to maintain consensus. The United States, which holds the 2026 G20 presidency, has placed economic growth, trade imbalances and other “America First” priorities high on the agenda.&nbsp;&nbsp;At a recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting in North Carolina, China objected to language on non-market policies and global trade imbalances and prevented a joint communiqué. As a result, the US issued a chair’s statement.&nbsp;China obstructed consensus on language concerning “non-market policies” aimed at addressing global trade imbalances. While 19 G20 members, including the US, EU, Japan, and India, agreed on the need to eliminate such practices, China opposed wording that targeted its economic strategies, thereby blocking a joint communiqué.However, China and Russia may see the G20 as an opportunity to challenge what they regard as an overly Western-dominated global economic order.&nbsp;&nbsp;The G20 continues to possess a major institutional advantage: it brings together the world's largest economies from both the developed and developing worlds.&nbsp;&nbsp;BRICS may evolve into a powerful negotiating bloc within the broader global system of G20, giving emerging economies greater leverage.&nbsp;If BRICS succeeds, the G20 may have to negotiate not simply with individual emerging powers, but with a more organised Global South coalition.

As BRICS gathers momentum and bargaining power, one question is increasingly becoming significant. Diplomats and strategists are now analysing whether BRICS can emerge as an effective “bloc within a bloc” in the G20 Leaders Summit and present a distinct collective voice.

The rapid growth of BRICS has turned the grouping of nations into an increasingly influential alternative voice within the global order. BRICS has evolved considerably since its original grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and it now brings together 11 countries after including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Besides, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025, further increasing the grouping’s clout as it commands a substantial share of the world’s population and economic activity. It is notable that all five original BRICS members are also members of the G20. This gives BRICS members the ability to promote their priorities inside the G20 while coordinating separately among themselves. BRICS nations demand greater influence for developing countries in financial institutions BRICS members demand greater influence for developing countries in institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, while also supporting reforms of global governance. BRICS countries can coordinate on issues where their interests overlap, like reform of global financial institutions, greater representation for emerging economies, development finance, trade and the use of national currencies. As BRICS gathers momentum and bargaining power, one question is increasingly becoming significant. Diplomats and strategists are now analysing whether BRICS can emerge as an effective “bloc within a bloc” in the G20 Leaders Summit and present a distinct collective voice. G20 struggling to maintain consensus The probability of such a situation gains importance as the G20 itself is struggling to maintain consensus. The United States, which holds the 2026 G20 presidency, has placed economic growth, trade imbalances and other “America First” priorities high on the agenda. At a recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting in North Carolina, China objected to language on non-market policies and global trade imbalances and prevented a joint communiqué. As a result, the US issued a chair’s statement. China obstructed consensus on language concerning “non-market policies” aimed at addressing global trade imbalances. While 19 G20 members, including the US, EU, Japan, and India, agreed on the need to eliminate such practices, China opposed wording that targeted its economic strategies, thereby blocking a joint communiqué. However, China and Russia may see the G20 as an opportunity to challenge what they regard as an overly Western-dominated global economic order. The G20 continues to possess a major institutional advantage: it brings together the world's largest economies from both the developed and developing worlds. BRICS may evolve into a powerful negotiating bloc within the broader global system of G20, giving emerging economies greater leverage. If BRICS succeeds, the G20 may have to negotiate not simply with individual emerging powers, but with a more organised Global South coalition.

As BRICS gathers momentum and bargaining power, one question is increasingly becoming significant. Diplomats and strategists are now analysing whether BRICS can emerge as an effective “bloc within a bloc” in the G20 Leaders Summit and present a distinct collective voice.

Will BRICS emerge as bloc within a bloc at Florida G20, flex its growing clout?

Donald Trump may not be sitting at the BRICS table in New Delhi, but his shadow will be hard to miss. As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, the grouping meets at a moment when almost every major fault line in the global economy and geopolitics runs through Washington, from tariffs and trade wars to the US-Iran conflict, energy security, sanctions on Russia and the future of the dollar. And that makes the Delhi summit about much more than another gathering of emerging economies.&nbsp;The question is whether BRICS can merely discuss a changing world, or actually shape it. Trump's tariff policies have forced countries to rethink their dependence on the US market. His pressure on buyers of Russian energy has also put India and China in a difficult position, given their importance to Moscow's oil trade. At the same time, the US-Iran war and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz have turned energy security into an immediate economic concern for much of the Global South. For India, the stakes are particularly high.&nbsp;New Delhi wants BRICS to become a stronger platform for the Global South, while resisting the idea that the grouping should simply become an anti-American or anti-Western alliance. That balancing act is central to India's strategic autonomy. The irony is striking. BRICS was initially conceived largely as an economic grouping. Twenty years later, it has become a platform through which emerging powers are demanding a greater say in global governance, finance and international decision-making. The expanded grouping now represents a substantial share of the world's population and economy.&nbsp;But size is not the same as power, and numbers do not automatically translate into unity. China and India have competing strategic interests. Russia wants the grouping to challenge Western sanctions and financial dominance. Iran has its own expectations from BRICS amid the war with the US and Israel. Gulf members have to balance relations with Washington with their expanding ties with Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi. And then there is the question of the dollar.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-summit-2026-russia-says-putin-will-update-pm-modi-on-ukraine-conflict-during-their-meeting-on-friday-1788858646955">BRICS Summit 2026: Russia says Putin will update PM Modi on Ukraine conflict during their meeting</a>&nbsp;For years, BRICS members have discussed greater use of local currencies, alternative payment mechanisms and reducing dependence on Western-controlled financial systems. India, however, has remained cautious about turning BRICS into a vehicle for outright de-dollarisation. That distinction could matter enormously in Delhi. Does India want BRICS to confront America, or does it want BRICS to make the world less dependent on any one power? The answer could define India's presidency.&nbsp;There are already signs that economic questions will sit alongside the larger geopolitical conversation. India and China are expected to use the summit as another channel to address trade, technology imports and investment restrictions, while the broader BRICS agenda includes economic and financial cooperation. Meanwhile, the energy question cannot be separated from geopolitics. India's relationship with Russian oil has become a major point of friction with Washington. Yet India and Russia have continued to strengthen mechanisms for bilateral trade and payments, with Russian and Indian banks increasingly facilitating transactions in national currencies.&nbsp;So when Trump looks at BRICS, Washington is not simply looking at a diplomatic grouping. It is looking at India, China, Russia, Iran and major energy economies sitting around the same table, countries that collectively have the potential to reshape trade flows, energy markets and financial arrangements. But BRICS faces a fundamental test of its own. Can it produce a common position when its members have very different relationships with the US?&nbsp;Can it talk about a multipolar world without becoming another rigid geopolitical bloc? Can it push for reform of institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and UN while still delivering practical economic alternatives? And, perhaps most importantly, can India use the BRICS presidency to turn the Global South from a diplomatic slogan into a genuine centre of influence? The Delhi summit therefore comes at an unusually consequential moment.&nbsp;Trump's America is watching BRICS. But BRICS has an opportunity to look back, not necessarily with confrontation, but with a question of its own: If the world is becoming multipolar, who gets to write the rules? And in New Delhi, India wants to make sure the answer does not remain Washington alone. Current context: India is hosting the summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12–13 under its 2026 theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

BRICS Summit 2026 faces Trump’s tariffs, wars, energy crisis and economic pressure. Can India lead BRICS and the Global South in challenging US power?

Donald Trump may not be sitting at the BRICS table in New Delhi, but his shadow will be hard to miss. As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, the grouping meets at a moment when almost every major fault line in the global economy and geopolitics runs through Washington, from tariffs and trade wars to the US-Iran conflict, energy security, sanctions on Russia and the future of the dollar. And that makes the Delhi summit about much more than another gathering of emerging economies. The question is whether BRICS can merely discuss a changing world, or actually shape it. Trump's tariff policies have forced countries to rethink their dependence on the US market. His pressure on buyers of Russian energy has also put India and China in a difficult position, given their importance to Moscow's oil trade. At the same time, the US-Iran war and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz have turned energy security into an immediate economic concern for much of the Global South. For India, the stakes are particularly high. New Delhi wants BRICS to become a stronger platform for the Global South, while resisting the idea that the grouping should simply become an anti-American or anti-Western alliance. That balancing act is central to India's strategic autonomy. The irony is striking. BRICS was initially conceived largely as an economic grouping. Twenty years later, it has become a platform through which emerging powers are demanding a greater say in global governance, finance and international decision-making. The expanded grouping now represents a substantial share of the world's population and economy. But size is not the same as power, and numbers do not automatically translate into unity. China and India have competing strategic interests. Russia wants the grouping to challenge Western sanctions and financial dominance. Iran has its own expectations from BRICS amid the war with the US and Israel. Gulf members have to balance relations with Washington with their expanding ties with Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi. And then there is the question of the dollar. Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: Russia says Putin will update PM Modi on Ukraine conflict during their meeting For years, BRICS members have discussed greater use of local currencies, alternative payment mechanisms and reducing dependence on Western-controlled financial systems. India, however, has remained cautious about turning BRICS into a vehicle for outright de-dollarisation. That distinction could matter enormously in Delhi. Does India want BRICS to confront America, or does it want BRICS to make the world less dependent on any one power? The answer could define India's presidency. There are already signs that economic questions will sit alongside the larger geopolitical conversation. India and China are expected to use the summit as another channel to address trade, technology imports and investment restrictions, while the broader BRICS agenda includes economic and financial cooperation. Meanwhile, the energy question cannot be separated from geopolitics. India's relationship with Russian oil has become a major point of friction with Washington. Yet India and Russia have continued to strengthen mechanisms for bilateral trade and payments, with Russian and Indian banks increasingly facilitating transactions in national currencies. So when Trump looks at BRICS, Washington is not simply looking at a diplomatic grouping. It is looking at India, China, Russia, Iran and major energy economies sitting around the same table, countries that collectively have the potential to reshape trade flows, energy markets and financial arrangements. But BRICS faces a fundamental test of its own. Can it produce a common position when its members have very different relationships with the US? Can it talk about a multipolar world without becoming another rigid geopolitical bloc? Can it push for reform of institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and UN while still delivering practical economic alternatives? And, perhaps most importantly, can India use the BRICS presidency to turn the Global South from a diplomatic slogan into a genuine centre of influence? The Delhi summit therefore comes at an unusually consequential moment. Trump's America is watching BRICS. But BRICS has an opportunity to look back, not necessarily with confrontation, but with a question of its own: If the world is becoming multipolar, who gets to write the rules? And in New Delhi, India wants to make sure the answer does not remain Washington alone. Current context: India is hosting the summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12–13 under its 2026 theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Trump’s tariffs, wars, energy shocks and economic pressure loom over BRICS 2026. Can India lead the Global South in pushing back against US power?

BRICS Summit 2026: Trump must be watching amid pushbacks from member states on US tariffs, conflicts and energy trade

India's BRICS presidency comes at a time when the global balance of power is changing rapidly. The September 12–13 summit in New Delhi is not just another meeting of emerging economies. It will test how India manages its relationships with China and Russia while keeping its strategic space open with the United States. For China and Russia, BRICS has increasingly become a platform to push for a more multipolar world and reduce Western dominance. But India has a different calculation. New Delhi wants a stronger voice for the Global South, greater cooperation among developing economies and reforms in global institutions, but it does not want BRICS to become an anti-US alliance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Recent analysis has also highlighted the differences within the grouping, with India and Brazil favouring a more practical and economic approach. That puts India in a delicate position. China remains India's biggest strategic challenge, even as both sides work to stabilise ties after years of border tensions. Russia, meanwhile, remains a critical partner for India in energy, defence and other strategic areas. At the same time, the US remains an important economic and strategic partner for New Delhi.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-summit-2026-delhi-police-traffic-advisory-affected-roads-and-travel-tips-for-commuters-all-you-need-to-know-1788767380283">BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi Police traffic advisory, affected roads and travel tips for commuters. All you need to know</a>&nbsp;The presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Delhi would therefore give the summit an added geopolitical weight. The fact that India, China and Russia have appeared together at the SCO just weeks before the BRICS summit makes the coming meetings even more significant. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the challenge is not to choose one side over another. It is to make sure India can work with all sides without becoming dependent on any one of them.&nbsp;This is where India's idea of strategic autonomy becomes important. New Delhi wants BRICS to speak for the Global South on issues such as development, trade, technology, climate change and reform of global institutions. But it also wants to prevent the grouping from being defined mainly by opposition to Washington.&nbsp;The question at the Delhi summit, therefore, will be bigger than whether BRICS can challenge the West. Can India help create a more multipolar world without becoming part of a China-Russia-led geopolitical camp? That may be the biggest test of India's BRICS presidency, and of its foreign policy in an increasingly divided world.

BRICS Summit 2026 tests India's strategic autonomy as New Delhi balances ties with China and Russia while maintaining its relationship with the US

India's BRICS presidency comes at a time when the global balance of power is changing rapidly. The September 12–13 summit in New Delhi is not just another meeting of emerging economies. It will test how India manages its relationships with China and Russia while keeping its strategic space open with the United States. For China and Russia, BRICS has increasingly become a platform to push for a more multipolar world and reduce Western dominance. But India has a different calculation. New Delhi wants a stronger voice for the Global South, greater cooperation among developing economies and reforms in global institutions, but it does not want BRICS to become an anti-US alliance. Recent analysis has also highlighted the differences within the grouping, with India and Brazil favouring a more practical and economic approach. That puts India in a delicate position. China remains India's biggest strategic challenge, even as both sides work to stabilise ties after years of border tensions. Russia, meanwhile, remains a critical partner for India in energy, defence and other strategic areas. At the same time, the US remains an important economic and strategic partner for New Delhi. Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi Police traffic advisory, affected roads and travel tips for commuters. All you need to know The presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Delhi would therefore give the summit an added geopolitical weight. The fact that India, China and Russia have appeared together at the SCO just weeks before the BRICS summit makes the coming meetings even more significant. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the challenge is not to choose one side over another. It is to make sure India can work with all sides without becoming dependent on any one of them. This is where India's idea of strategic autonomy becomes important. New Delhi wants BRICS to speak for the Global South on issues such as development, trade, technology, climate change and reform of global institutions. But it also wants to prevent the grouping from being defined mainly by opposition to Washington. The question at the Delhi summit, therefore, will be bigger than whether BRICS can challenge the West. Can India help create a more multipolar world without becoming part of a China-Russia-led geopolitical camp? That may be the biggest test of India's BRICS presidency, and of its foreign policy in an increasingly divided world.

BRICS Summit 2026 tests India's balancing act as it works with China and Russia while keeping its strategic ties with the United States

BRICS Summit 2026: How India is trying to shape a multipolar world without choosing sides

BRICS SUMMIT 2026: Delhi is witnessing major traffic restrictions and diversions as authorities prepare for the upcoming BRICS Leaders' Summit at Bharat Mandapam. A motorcade rehearsal is affecting more than 35 roads, with Delhi Traffic Police advising commuters to plan journeys in advance, allow extra travel time and use the Metro wherever possible.

The restrictions affect several important routes across Central, South and other parts of Delhi. Traffic police have also identified multiple diversion points and issued alternate-route advisories for commuters travelling to railway stations and the airport.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, 2026. The event is expected to bring together leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees.

BRICS SUMMIT 2026 | Delhi Traffic Restrictions On 35+ Roads, Motorcade Rehearsal Underway

BRICS SUMMIT 2026: Delhi is gearing up to host foreign leaders at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, but the summit is expected to bring major traffic restrictions across the capital.

Delhi Traffic Police have begun rehearsals for foreign leaders and their motorcades, with restrictions covering more than 35 roads and 22 diversion points. Commuters in central, south and southwest Delhi could face diversions, temporary road closures and longer travel times.

Major routes including Sardar Patel Marg, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Mathura Road, Lodhi Road and Africa Avenue are among those affected by the traffic plan. The biggest disruption is expected as foreign leaders and delegations begin arriving around September 10, with restrictions potentially continuing until their departure around September 14.

Adding to the challenge, heavy rain has already caused waterlogging in parts of Delhi, including areas near Indira Gandhi International Airport, while further rain and thunderstorms are forecast around the summit period.

BRICS SUMMIT 2026 | Delhi Traffic Restrictions Begin Ahead Of Foreign Leaders’ Arrival

Sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices managing a combined $1 trillion will meet in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 to discuss cross-border investments, non-dollar settlements and payment systems among BRICS economies.&nbsp;India will host the 18th BRICS Summit under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. More than 500 institutional investors, finance ministers and business leaders are expected to attend the first iBRICS Summit 2026 at The Oberoi in New Delhi.&nbsp;According to a press release from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), the event will connect sovereign investors with infrastructure, energy and digital projects across the 21 BRICS member states and partner nations.&nbsp;The meeting comes as BRICS economies deal with changing trade patterns, US tariff pressures and rising costs linked to dollar-based transactions.&nbsp;Around 250 participants will take part in a closed-door roundtable on non-dollar settlement corridors and investment targets. Separate meetings will look at possible projects in infrastructure, technology, critical minerals and energy transition.&nbsp;The event will also see the signing of a proposed “Sovereign Capital Compact” on September 12. However, the release did not provide details about the value of possible investments or name specific projects that could receive funding.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-escalation-zelensky-accuses-russia-of-targeting-sbu-chief-s-office-1788544438564">‘Major escalation’: Zelensky accuses Russia of targeting SBU chief’s office</a><h2>Focus on independent financial systems</h2>Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman of SWFI and Lead Co-Chair of iBRICS, said: "For twenty years, cross-border investments within BRICS were discussed politically and executed bilaterally through outside intermediaries. With tariffs and sanctions stressing traditional corridors, funds and ministries need direct access to allocate capital differently. We are providing that dedicated venue alongside the Leaders' Summit.”&nbsp;The meeting will also focus on efforts to strengthen financial links between BRICS countries. Following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra's confirmation of the BRICS payments task force, the summit will hold sessions on connecting fast-payment systems such as UPI and Pix with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).&nbsp;Dushyant Khanna, Co-Chair of iBRICS New Delhi 2026, said: "BRICS countries hold a massive share of world reserves and are building the rails to move capital independently. The missing link has been matching that capital directly with bankable projects. September 12 is where project owners and global allocators sit down to make that match."&nbsp;The iBRICS is an annual sovereign investment and deal summit organised by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute alongside the BRICS Leaders’ Summit. The 2026 event will be its first edition.&nbsp;Thirty-two days after the New Delhi event, SWFI will hold I-20 Investment Week in Dallas, Texas, during the United States’ G20 host year.

More than 500 investors, finance ministers and business leaders managing around $1 trillion in capital will gather in New Delhi for the first iBRICS Summit to discuss cross-border investments, non-dollar settlements and new payment systems across BRICS economies.

Sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices managing a combined $1 trillion will meet in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 to discuss cross-border investments, non-dollar settlements and payment systems among BRICS economies. India will host the 18th BRICS Summit under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. More than 500 institutional investors, finance ministers and business leaders are expected to attend the first iBRICS Summit 2026 at The Oberoi in New Delhi. According to a press release from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), the event will connect sovereign investors with infrastructure, energy and digital projects across the 21 BRICS member states and partner nations. The meeting comes as BRICS economies deal with changing trade patterns, US tariff pressures and rising costs linked to dollar-based transactions. Around 250 participants will take part in a closed-door roundtable on non-dollar settlement corridors and investment targets. Separate meetings will look at possible projects in infrastructure, technology, critical minerals and energy transition. The event will also see the signing of a proposed “Sovereign Capital Compact” on September 12. However, the release did not provide details about the value of possible investments or name specific projects that could receive funding. Also Read: ‘Major escalation’: Zelensky accuses Russia of targeting SBU chief’s office Focus on independent financial systems Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman of SWFI and Lead Co-Chair of iBRICS, said: "For twenty years, cross-border investments within BRICS were discussed politically and executed bilaterally through outside intermediaries. With tariffs and sanctions stressing traditional corridors, funds and ministries need direct access to allocate capital differently. We are providing that dedicated venue alongside the Leaders' Summit.” The meeting will also focus on efforts to strengthen financial links between BRICS countries. Following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra's confirmation of the BRICS payments task force, the summit will hold sessions on connecting fast-payment systems such as UPI and Pix with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Dushyant Khanna, Co-Chair of iBRICS New Delhi 2026, said: "BRICS countries hold a massive share of world reserves and are building the rails to move capital independently. The missing link has been matching that capital directly with bankable projects. September 12 is where project owners and global allocators sit down to make that match." The iBRICS is an annual sovereign investment and deal summit organised by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute alongside the BRICS Leaders’ Summit. The 2026 event will be its first edition. Thirty-two days after the New Delhi event, SWFI will hold I-20 Investment Week in Dallas, Texas, during the United States’ G20 host year.

More than 500 investors, finance ministers and business leaders managing around $1 trillion in capital will gather in New Delhi for the first iBRICS Summit to discuss cross-border investments, non-dollar settlements and new payment systems across BRICS economies.

BRICS 2026: $1 trillion sovereign capital set to converge in Delhi for first iBRICS Summit

Central government offices located in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 as the national capital gears up to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. According to an official memorandum issued on Thursday (Sep 3) by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, all Central government offices in the vicinity of Delhi and New Delhi will remain shut given the scale and arrangement requirements for the high-level summit.The closure will apply on Friday, September 11. The BRICS Business Forum and the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit are set to be held between September 11 and September 13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit is expected to be 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 expected to be present at the meetings.“Recognising the magnitude of this event, the substantial logistical arrangements involved, and to minimise inconvenience to the general public, it has been decided to keep the Central Government offices located in Delhi/New Delhi closed on Friday, the 11th of September 2026 (12th and 13th of September 2026 being Saturday and Sunday respectively),” the order read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delhi LG has declared a holiday on 11th September 2026 in view of BRICS Summit <a href="https://t.co/aaJKS9wWvp">pic.twitter.com/aaJKS9wWvp</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2095466324957004102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India hosts 18th BRICS Summit</h2>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.Since India assumed the chairmanship on January 1, 2026, over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have already been held in more than 25 cities. 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’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.”&nbsp;

Central government offices in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, with leaders from around 30 member and partner nations expected.

Central government offices located in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 as the national capital gears up to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. According to an official memorandum issued on Thursday (Sep 3) by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, all Central government offices in the vicinity of Delhi and New Delhi will remain shut given the scale and arrangement requirements for the high-level summit. The closure will apply on Friday, September 11. The BRICS Business Forum and the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit are set to be held between September 11 and September 13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit is expected to be 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 expected to be present at the meetings. “Recognising the magnitude of this event, the substantial logistical arrangements involved, and to minimise inconvenience to the general public, it has been decided to keep the Central Government offices located in Delhi/New Delhi closed on Friday, the 11th of September 2026 (12th and 13th of September 2026 being Saturday and Sunday respectively),” the order read.

Central government offices in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, with leaders from around 30 member and partner nations expected.

Delhi Central govt offices to remain shut on Sep 11 as India hosts BRICS Summit – All you need to know