&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "BRICS Summit 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: China takes over BRICS chairship; PM Modi extends best wishes")
BRICS Summit 2026: The official opening of the summit at New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam was a spectacular event with leaders showcasing the strength of Global South. While various photos showed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin walking hand in hand, the summit was also successful in arriving at a consensus right on the first day. Prime Minister Modi announced the passing of New Delhi Declaration unanimously. it called for immediate "restraint" and calm in the West Asia and backed two-state solution for Israel and Palestine adding that it is opposed to the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israel. Leaders stressed the critical need to maintain the smooth, unhindered flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy markets amid Western sanctions and geopolitical friction. The member states heavily prioritized reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. It also condemned Pahalgam terror attack.
High-stakes bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's Xi Jinping took place, with both sides agreeing that differences between them should not convert to disputes. Bilateral meeting was also held between Iran's Pezeshkian and UAE's Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamad al Nahan. PM Modi in his closing remarks stated that he Global South must transition from being "rule-takers" to becoming "rule-shapers" on the world stage. Meanwhile, New Delhi was placed under an intense security blanket with over 15,000 police personnel and 200 paramilitary companies deployed.
Several bilateral meetings are scheduled today as well. Leaders from BRICS member countries, partner nations, and outreach invitees will begin arriving. The official group photograph will be taken. Leaders will attend the main open session, "Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth," after which the summit will conclude with the release of the New Delhi Declaration.
Stay tuned for all updates
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The BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi brought together leaders to discuss global governance, conflicts, trade, technology and the priorities of the Global South. PM Modi led India’s diplomatic engagements, while Putin and Xi Jinping were among the key leaders attending the summit. The New Delhi Declaration outlined cooperation on UN reform, finance, energy, food security, AI and sustainable development. Geopolitical issues, including the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, featured prominently. The summit also highlighted India’s cultural heritage through performances. As India’s chairship ended, China took over as BRICS chair for 2027, carrying forward the bloc’s multipolar agenda.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Jaishankar said the two leaders exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments and discussed ways to advance bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.
“Pleased to meet FM Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan on the sidelines of #BRICSIndia2026. Exchanged perspectives on regional & global developments, as well as on advancing our bilateral cooperation,” Jaishankar posted on X.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS Summit. Saudi Arabia is participating in the summit as an invited country.
The meeting comes as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Alupo arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit. She was received by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary.
Uganda is among the 10 partner countries participating in the BRICS Summit 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Marcos Jr is in India to attend the two-day BRICS Summit in his capacity as the current chair of ASEAN. His visit assumes significance in the context of India’s Act East policy and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi met Philippines First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos over a luncheon meeting and shared Prime Minister Modi’s vision of women-led development and India’s commitment to empowering women as leaders and equal partners in shaping a prosperous future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his best wishes to China, which will host the grouping’s next summit in 2027, as he said that the world now expects "concrete results" from BRICS as it enters its third decade.
Addressing the open session on Day 2 of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi said, "BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations."
The Prime Minister extended his best wishes to China as the next host of BRICS and commended the leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success.
On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the session and said that India's term as BRICS chair has been a ‘win-win collaboration.’ He shed light on a number of issues including global supply chain, critical minerals, and BRICS as a bloc in the multipolar world. With Chinese President Xi Jinping at the meeting, PM Modi put inclusivity at the centre of his closing remarks and cautioned against the "weaponisation" of technology and critical minerals, saying such measures could create "hurdles" to common growth.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi took to X, “True multilateralism grows from strong regional and issue-based cooperation. The BRICS New Delhi Declaration is a progressive step—giving a powerful voice to the Global South, calling for a fairer financial architecture, and pushing for lasting peace in West Asia. Despite internal contradictions and external geopolitical challenges, it remains a welcome development.”
The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and China hold talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India.
‘BRICS is a sign of a growing demand for a more balanced and inclusive world, in which no power center has the right to determine the fate of others’, says Iran's Pezeshkian.
A political summit like the BRICS being held in New Delhi is usually about formal speeches and conversations but Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim turned his trip into a little bit of fun by singing a Bollywood song.
On Day 2 of the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today, the number of tensions in the world is constantly rising, having a significant and widespread negative impact on the lives of ordinary people. Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply chain disruptions have demonstrated that in today's interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region. Therefore, we have placed special emphasis on enhancing resilience within the BRICS group. It is equally essential to identify challenges in a timely manner, remain prepared for them, and take immediate action. With this approach, a consensus has been reached on a 'BRICS Integrated Early Warning System' for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases. Additionally, Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines have been formulated for disaster management"
BJP leaders hail BRICS New Delhi Declaration, highlight peace and Global South agendaBJP leaders hail BRICS New Delhi Declaration, highlight peace and Global South agendaBJP leaders hail BRICS New Delhi Declaration, highlight peace and Global South agenda. Speaking on the declaration, BJP MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said the outcome was particularly important in view of the global developments confronting the international community.
The second day of New Delhi BRICS Summit will see participation of BRICS Member and Partner in an open session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slated to hold bilateral meetings with leaders from seven countries on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with leaders of South Africa, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Egypt and Burundi, Uganda and Nigeria on Sunday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is in India for BRIC Summit 2026, met with Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Satishacharya Ji Maharaj o the sidelines of the summit. His moments with the Hindu spiritual leader has gone viral as he can be seen touching his feet and smiling while holding the leader's hand. WATCH
The unanimous adoption of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration, which explicitly condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, has brought a sense of validation and emotional relief to the grieving families of the victims. The joint declaration issued at the summit strongly denounced the tragic incident that claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a global "zero-tolerance" policy against terrorism, cross-border networks and terrorist financing.
Reacting to the international development, Aishanya Dwivedi, whose husband Shubham Dwivedi lost his life in the attack, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the critical issue on the global platform. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to our Prime Minister on behalf of all 26 families, for raising such a major issue as terrorism on a global stage from within India... For us 26 families, this signifies that while honouring the sacrifice of our 26 loved ones, the government is taking, and will continue to take, decisive steps against terrorism,” Aishanya told ANI.
Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday issued a detailed advisory announcing diversions at 22 points and regulating vehicular movement on more than 35 roads.
The restrictions will remain in place from 8 am to 8 pm on Sunday.
Several important roads in central and south Delhi will be affected, including Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Mathura Road, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Brigadier Hoshiyar Singh Marg, Africa Avenue Road, Satya Marg, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kemal Ataturk Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Josef Broz Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Sep 12). Just at the start of the important meeting, the Malaysian PM can be seen candidly mentioning that Prime Minister Modi is very popular. WATCH THE MOMENT HERE
During the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that India and China are development partners rather than rivals, outlining a four-point plan for bilateral relations. However, Xi notably skipped the official gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
An official "family photograph" featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other world leaders was captured at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Egypt, South Africa and Burundi, as well as the Vice Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
