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

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

As the 18th BRICS Summit takes place in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen holding hands, sharing hugs and smiles with world leaders from Russia, China and Iran. The Summit comes at a time amid heightened geopolitical tensions and challenging times for several nations as they reel from the effects of wars in West Asia and Europe. Visuals from the high-stakes summit went viral, showing PM Modi sharing moments with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.While language may be a barrier for the leaders, the leaders seem to connect well with each other, sharing a bond and sending a strong message to the rest of the world. Here’s what body language expert Gaurav Gill told WION.<h2>PM Modi and Xi</h2>Speaking about a video showing PM Modi welcoming Xi at the summit, Gill said the two leaders’ body language shows authority, confidence, interest, and respect.“When he (PM Modi) goes ahead and welcomes him (Chinese President Xi), he extends his hand first, and then that’s a sign of welcoming, and there is clear authority,” Gill said.He further explains, “When he brings him here, you see... When the Chinese president is standing and listening, he puts both hands at the back. That is a sign of respect and interest in what has been delivered to him.”“Also when he’s standing, there is distance between his feet that speaks of authority. A similar thing can be seen for our Indian PM; there’s a lot of confidence and authority as they shake hands, and as they go, PM Modi shows him the way and we see Xi Jinping also smiling along. He makes eye contact.”Gill says Xi’s body language shows that there is a strong reason why he has come to India after seven years.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONAtBRICS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONAtBRICS</a> | The power frame of 2026 PM Modi, Xi and Putin lock hands together The ultimate photo-op of the 18th BRICS Summit Consultant psychologist and Body language expert, <a href="https://x.com/GauravG39565221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GauravG39565221</a> joins <a href="https://x.com/Mohammed11Saleh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mohammed11Saleh</a> with more insights <a href="https://t.co/6X5UNBVsH5">pic.twitter.com/6X5UNBVsH5</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2098756932459000304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>PM Modi and Pezeshkian</h2>Speaking about the image showing PM Modi holding hands with Iranian President Pezeshkian, Gill explained that the gesture conveyed that India is standing with Iran in difficult times.“When you hold hands with each other, it generates a chemical, oxytocin. It is a bond-generating chemical. It also speaks of close proximity, and it says we are standing with you, especially when the times are difficult,” he said.Gill said that it also conveys a message of building resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. He added that it shows that India is standing by the allies and also sends a strong message to the rest of the world.<h2>What PM Modi’s handshakes mean?</h2>Gill said that all handshakes shared by PM Modi show personal chemistry and also speak of warmth. It also shows that we are looking at dialogue and a close connection.“How BRICS was born was originally with Brazil, Russia, India and China. How it grew to 11 nations sends a strong message to other countries. Our Indian PM holding hands and shaking hands is also sending a msg that we are keeping them close and we are forming a bond, and now this has grown to 11 countries. So that is sending a message,” Gill said. “There was a tree plantation together, which was to send a message that it was a sapling earlier; now it will grow into a bigger bond, and it will form into a strong multilateral and multiple coalition over a period of time.”&nbsp;

At the BRICS Summit, Modi’s hugs, handshakes and smiles with Xi, Putin and Pezeshkian went viral. Body language expert decoded the gestures and their diplomatic message.

As the 18th BRICS Summit takes place in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen holding hands, sharing hugs and smiles with world leaders from Russia, China and Iran. The Summit comes at a time amid heightened geopolitical tensions and challenging times for several nations as they reel from the effects of wars in West Asia and Europe. Visuals from the high-stakes summit went viral, showing PM Modi sharing moments with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. While language may be a barrier for the leaders, the leaders seem to connect well with each other, sharing a bond and sending a strong message to the rest of the world. Here’s what body language expert Gaurav Gill told WION. PM Modi and Xi Speaking about a video showing PM Modi welcoming Xi at the summit, Gill said the two leaders’ body language shows authority, confidence, interest, and respect. “When he (PM Modi) goes ahead and welcomes him (Chinese President Xi), he extends his hand first, and then that’s a sign of welcoming, and there is clear authority,” Gill said. He further explains, “When he brings him here, you see... When the Chinese president is standing and listening, he puts both hands at the back. That is a sign of respect and interest in what has been delivered to him.” “Also when he’s standing, there is distance between his feet that speaks of authority. A similar thing can be seen for our Indian PM; there’s a lot of confidence and authority as they shake hands, and as they go, PM Modi shows him the way and we see Xi Jinping also smiling along. He makes eye contact.” Gill says Xi’s body language shows that there is a strong reason why he has come to India after seven years.

At the BRICS Summit, Modi’s hugs, handshakes and smiles with Xi, Putin and Pezeshkian went viral. Body language expert decoded the gestures and their diplomatic message.

What do PM Modi’s hugs, handshakes with leaders at BRICS mean? Body language expert decodes

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

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

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

What do PM Modi’s hugs, handshakes with leaders at BRICS mean? Expert decodes

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