New Delhi: The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 has begun in New Delhi, bringing together leaders and senior representatives from major emerging economies at a time of significant geopolitical and economic uncertainty. India is hosting the two-day summit on September 12 and 13, 2026, as part of its BRICS chairship.
The summit is attracting global attention because of the participation of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with representatives from other BRICS members and partner countries.
India’s BRICS 2026 chairship is built around the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The summit agenda includes economic cooperation, trade and investment, technology, energy security, global governance and issues affecting the Global South.
BRICS Summit 2026: Why the New Delhi Meeting Matters
The 2026 BRICS Summit comes at a particularly important moment for the global economy and international relations.
Wars and geopolitical tensions, changing trade patterns, energy security concerns and debates over the international financial system are putting pressure on countries to strengthen economic and diplomatic partnerships.
BRICS is increasingly being viewed as an important platform for emerging economies seeking greater influence in global decision-making. The New Delhi summit is therefore expected to focus not only on traditional economic cooperation but also on how BRICS can increase coordination on technology, investment, energy and global governance.
PM Modi Holds Talks With Vladimir Putin
One of the major developments ahead of the main summit sessions was the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in areas including politics, trade, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people relations. They also discussed India’s and Russia’s cooperation within BRICS under India’s 2026 chairship.
The discussions come as India and Russia look to further expand bilateral economic ties. Recent reporting said both sides are targeting higher bilateral trade and are exploring greater cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and critical minerals.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict also remains an important issue in India’s diplomatic engagements. PM Modi has continued to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward for resolving conflicts.
Xi Jinping Arrives in New Delhi for BRICS Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on September 12 to participate in the BRICS Summit. His visit is one of the most closely watched developments of the summit.
A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping is attracting particular attention because India-China relations have experienced significant tensions in recent years, particularly following the 2020 border confrontation.
Relations between the two countries have shown signs of a cautious improvement since the 2024 disengagement process, although significant strategic and border issues remain unresolved.
The Modi-Xi engagement could therefore become one of the key diplomatic moments of BRICS Summit 2026.
Trade and Investment High on BRICS Agenda
Economic cooperation remains at the heart of the BRICS agenda.
The expanded grouping is expected to discuss ways to increase trade and investment among member countries, strengthen supply chains and promote cooperation in technology and infrastructure.
Another important discussion is the use of local currencies and alternative payment mechanisms for international trade. Several BRICS members have pushed for greater financial cooperation and reduced dependence on traditional Western-led financial mechanisms.
However, differences between member countries mean that reaching agreement on major financial initiatives could prove challenging.
Energy Security Becomes a Major Issue
Energy security is another major issue at the BRICS Summit 2026.
India’s energy relationship with Russia remains strategically important, while the wider BRICS grouping includes several major energy-producing nations.
Discussions on oil, gas, nuclear energy, critical minerals and reliable energy supplies could therefore have significant implications for the global economy.
For India, maintaining affordable and secure energy supplies remains an important economic priority.
BRICS and the Changing Global Order
The New Delhi summit is also taking place amid a wider debate over the future of the international system.
BRICS members have repeatedly called for greater representation of developing countries in major international institutions. Reform of global governance and strengthening the voice of the Global South are expected to remain important themes during India’s presidency.
The growing number of BRICS members and partner countries has also increased the group’s geographical and economic reach.
Who Is Attending BRICS Summit 2026?
The New Delhi summit features leaders and senior representatives from across the expanded BRICS grouping.
Among the prominent participants are:
- Narendra Modi – India
- Xi Jinping – China
- Vladimir Putin – Russia
- Masoud Pezeshkian – Iran
- Cyril Ramaphosa – South Africa
- Abdel Fattah el-Sisi – Egypt
- Prabowo Subianto – Indonesia
- Abiy Ahmed – Ethiopia
Other senior representatives from BRICS members, partner countries and invited nations are also participating in the summit.
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: What to Watch Next
The most closely watched developments from the New Delhi summit include:
- Modi-Xi Jinping bilateral meeting
- India-Russia strategic cooperation
- BRICS economic and trade initiatives
- Local-currency trade and payment systems
- Energy security and critical minerals
- Ukraine and West Asia conflicts
- Global governance and institutional reforms
- India’s priorities for the Global South
The final summit outcomes will be important in determining how far BRICS members can translate their growing economic and political influence into practical cooperation.
India Takes Centre Stage at BRICS Summit 2026
With the world’s major emerging economies gathered in New Delhi, the BRICS Summit 2026 represents an important diplomatic moment for India.
For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit provides an opportunity to strengthen India’s relationships with Russia, China and other emerging economies while maintaining India’s broader strategic partnerships around the world.
For BRICS itself, the summit is a test of whether an increasingly diverse group of countries can find common ground on trade, finance, energy, technology and global governance.
As the two-day meeting continues, the Modi-Xi Jinping engagement, India-Russia cooperation and discussions on the future of the BRICS economic framework are likely to remain among the biggest stories from New Delhi.
Stay tuned for live updates from the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi.