BRICS is growing, but for India, the numbers tell a more complicated story. India's trade deficit with the bloc has tripled in five years, from $74.5 billion to $226.1 billion, the largest deficit of any BRICS member. Imports surged 132% while exports grew just 49%, with China alone supplying over $131 billion in goods. So as BRICS pushes deeper integration, the real question is whether India can actually balance the scales, or just keep importing more.


BRICS Summit 2026: India faces $226 billion deficit problem 

Donald Trump isn't in Delhi for the BRICS Summit, but his tariff threats are impossible to ignore. From trade pressure to wars in Ukraine and the Gulf, BRICS members are navigating a world where economics and geopolitics keep colliding. Local currency trade has quietly crossed 67% among member nations, even as India stays cautious, rejecting a common BRICS currency while still backing local-currency settlements as tools for resilience, not an anti-dollar crusade.


BRICS Summit 2026: Local currencies gain focus in BRICS

Day two of the 18th BRICS Summit brings the meeting everyone's watching: PM Modi and President Xi Jinping sit down today, Xi's first visit to India in seven years. It comes as both sides work to stabilize ties after the 2020 Ladakh standoff, with progress already made on border patrolling and direct flights. Alongside the bilateral, "Strengthening Multilateralism" tops the summit agenda as world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam for the closing day.


BRICS Summit 2026: India, Russia push to expand trade, defence and strategic partnership 

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi and went straight into bilateral talks with PM Modi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit. Trade, energy, and defence topped the agenda, with BrahMos missile upgrades, S-400 deliveries and Su-57 jets all reportedly on the table. Putin arrived with a high-level delegation, and the two leaders are expected to review decades of strategic partnership before world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam this weekend.


BRICS Summit 2026: India, Russia push to expand trade, defence and strategic partnership

BRICS was built as an economic bloc, but security is quietly becoming its next big test. From terrorism to cyber warfare, India is pushing the group toward real cooperation, without turning it into a military alliance like NATO. The challenge is real: Russia, China and Iran prioritize sovereignty and anti-intervention, while other members balance different global relationships. Can eleven very different powers actually agree on shared threats, or will BRICS stay economically united but strategically divided?


BRICS Summit 2026: BRICS not a military alliance, can it build security cooperation?

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi gifts a Russian translation of the 'Thirukkural' to Putin

BRICS Summit 2026: Russian President Putin's first BRICS trip abroad since the Ukraine war began

BRICS is facing its toughest test yet. Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, all part of the bloc but on opposing sides of the West Asia war, have sent delegations to New Delhi even as Houthi rebels make rapid advances along Yemen's Red Sea coast. The UAE has already suspended all trade with Iran after being hit by Iranian missiles. India is now working overtime to bridge the gap and land a joint Delhi Declaration everyone can actually sign.

BRICS Summit 2026: Rivals in West Asia, partners in BRICS, UAE, Iran, and Saudi delegations in Delhi

India kicks off the 18th BRICS Summit today at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together leaders from all 11 member nations at a genuinely tense moment. Putin, Xi Jinping, El-Sisi, and Iran's Pezeshkian, on his first India visit in 8 years, are all in Delhi, with wars in West Asia and Ukraine looming large over the agenda. Trade, energy security, and global governance are on the table, but experts say the real test is whether BRICS can hold together at all.


BRICS Summit 2026: Top world leaders in New Delhi; West Asia war casts shadow on BRICS Summit

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit, where global trade, investment, energy security and economic cooperation are expected to dominate discussions. Ramaphosa is also set to participate in the BRICS Business Forum and will join the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable.


BRICS Summit 2026: South Africa says it will use the summit to advance its economic priorities

As host of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India is navigating a major geopolitical test due to a bitter deadlock between member states Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Following the rapid escalation of the US-Iran war and strikes in the Gulf, Tehran is pushing for explicit BRICS condemnation of US-Israeli military operations. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi demands accountability for Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and Gulf infrastructure. After previous ministerial meetings failed to yield a unified communique, Indian diplomats are holding marathon negotiations at Bharat Mandapam to forge a consensus text for the final New Delhi Declaration.


BRICS summit: India faces delicate Iran-UAE diplomatic test

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's Delhi visit is a big deal, it's the first time an Iranian head of state has come to India in over 8 years, since Hassan Rouhani in 2018. With West Asia's war testing BRICS unity, Modi and Pezeshkian's bilateral talks are set to cover Chabahar Port, energy cooperation and regional connectivity, all while India tries to keep dialogue open between Iran, the US and its Gulf neighbours.


BRICS Summit 2026: Iran's Pezeshkian praises PM Modi at BRICS

As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, over 30 countries—including NATO member Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Vietnam—are actively seeking full membership or formal partner status within the expanding 11-member bloc. India faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act: managing internal consensus among existing members while resisting aggressive pushback from China and Russia to rapidly anti-Westernize the group, ensuring BRICS remains an effective multilateral driver for the Global South rather than a diluted geopolitical bloc.  


BRICS Summit 2026: 30+ countries seek BRICS membership

A new Federation of American Scientists report estimates India’s nuclear arsenal at 190 warheads. Over 160 are operational. New missiles like Agni-Prime and MIRV capable Agni-5 enhance reach. Nuclear submarines patrol with K-4 and K-15 systems. Rafale jets carry nuclear payloads. This video takes a close look at India's modernisation: land, sea, and air.  We explain New Delhi's nuclear strategy: minimal, credible & no first use. Watch to understand how India’s deterrent grows to ensure peace through strength.


US think tank estimates India's nuclear warhead count at 190

India's nuclear arsenal grows to 190 warheads, surpasses Pakistan 

As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, over 30 countries—including NATO member Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Vietnam—are actively seeking full membership or formal partner status within the expanding 11-member bloc. India faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act: managing internal consensus among existing members while resisting aggressive pushback from China and Russia to rapidly anti-Westernize the group, ensuring BRICS remains an effective multilateral driver for the Global South rather than a diluted geopolitical bloc.  

BRICS Summit 2026: India’s strategic test as Pakistan, Turkey, and global south push to join BRICS

Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to India for BRICS summit on Saturday that could mark the biggest step in a cautious thaw after years of hostility between the two countries. Xi's visit for the September 12-13 BRICS summit would be his first trip to India since October 2019, and follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's August 2025 visit to China. The nuclear-armed Asian giants have been been slowly improving ties since a deadly 2020 border clash. Flights, some visas and high-level contacts have gradually resumed. Can the Modi-Xi meeting help improve ties?


PM Modi's meeting with Xi Jinping to test India-China reset after border tensions

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi, President Putin hold bilateral talks ahead of BRICS summit

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi reiterates dialogue key to resolving conflicts

BRICS may look united on stage, but its 11 members are pulling in different strategic directions, Russia, China and Iran lean toward sovereignty and anti-intervention, while others balance ties with the West differently. Still, terrorism, cyber threats and emerging tech risks are pushing them toward common ground. India's June 2026 National Security Advisers' meeting showed security is no longer a side issue for BRICS, it's becoming central to how the bloc defines itself.


BRICS Summit 2026: The search for a common security agenda

BRICS Summit 2026: First Iranian President visit to India in 8 years amid West Asia war

BRICS Summit 2026 | Modi-Pezeshkian meet: What is on the agenda

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi, Putin discuss conflicts in West Asia & Black Sea region 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, highlighting India's startup revolution and growing role in the global economy. Modi stressed that international trade can only grow when seafarers and shipping routes remain safe and secure. Joined by fellow BRICS leaders, he pointed to the optimism surrounding the BRICS Summit and called for stronger economic cooperation, innovation and resilient supply chains among member nations.


BRICS Summit 2026: Modi-Putin talks put maritime trade, Hormuz and Indian seafarers' safety

India and Nigeria are strengthening their economic partnership, with bilateral trade reaching an impressive $9 billion. While energy remains a key pillar of the relationship, trade ties are increasingly diversifying into pharmaceuticals, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and investment. As both countries seek stronger South-South cooperation, the growing partnership highlights expanding opportunities beyond oil and reflects the broader push for deeper economic engagement between Asia and Africa.


BRICS Summit 2026: India-Nigeria trade surges to $9 billion as ties expand beyond oil 

BRICS Summit 2026: Ramaphosa arrives in Delhi as South Africa eyes stronger BRICS partnerships

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi highlights startup boom, seafarer safety at BRICS business forum 

BRICS Summit 2026: India-Russia ties get a boost as PM Modi meets president Putin in Delhi

BRICS Summit 2026: India, Russia eyes expansion of trade, defence & economic partnership 

BRICS Summit 2026: Putin-Modi talks put Su-57 fighter jet deal back in spotlight

As world leaders gather in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, India finds itself in a rare diplomatic spot, close to both Russia and the West. During bilateral talks, PM Modi told Putin that India stands ready to "assist in peace efforts," reiterating his call for a peaceful end to the Ukraine conflict. With Iran's leadership also in town and Middle East tensions simmering in the background, this year's summit carries far more weight than trade talks alone.


India positions for peace at BRICS as PM Modi offers Putin help ending Ukraine war 

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