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BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: INDIA HOSTS BRICS 2026 — WORLD LEADERS ARRIVE IN NEW DELHI.
For two days, the world’s attention has shifted to New Delhi, where India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit under its presidency. It is the first summit after BRICS expanded into an 11-member bloc, making it one of the largest gatherings of emerging economies in history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed presidents, prime ministers, and senior representatives from across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America at Bharat Mandapam, the same venue that hosted the G20 Summit in 2023.
The summit is more than a diplomatic event. It is a moment that could influence global trade, international finance, geopolitical partnerships, and the voice of developing nations in world affairs.
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: Who is attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi?
Several of the world’s most influential leaders have arrived in the Indian capital.
Among the prominent BRICS participants are:
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
- Xi Jinping, President of China
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
- Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
- Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran
- Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt
- Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
- Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, leading the UAE delegation
- Mauro Vieira, Foreign Minister of Brazil
Saudi Arabia is represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who travelled to New Delhi on behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
The UAE delegation, meanwhile, is being led by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The summit is also drawing leaders and senior representatives from BRICS partner and outreach countries, making the gathering much broader than the core member group.
Why BRICS 2026 matters
The New Delhi summit comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the global economy.
Wars, trade restrictions, energy disruptions, financial sanctions and tensions between major powers have raised questions about how the international economic system could evolve.
For BRICS, one of the central questions is whether emerging economies can build stronger mechanisms for trade and financial cooperation without depending so heavily on institutions and systems traditionally dominated by Western economies.
India’s official BRICS chairship theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The agenda covers economic and financial cooperation, technology, energy and food security, healthcare, disaster resilience, critical supply chains and reforms to global governance.
Official Website of BRICS: https://www.brics2026.gov.in/
Why the BRICS Summit 2026 is a Historic Moment
The 2026 BRICS Summit is India’s biggest diplomatic event of the year and one of the most significant global summits in recent times.
India’s presidency has been built around the theme:
Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
The discussions focus on strengthening economic cooperation, expanding trade between BRICS countries, reforming global institutions, improving digital infrastructure, climate resilience, healthcare and sustainable development.
Unlike previous years, this summit reflects a larger BRICS, representing nearly half of the world’s population and a growing share of global economic output.
Every BRICS Leader Who Arrived in India
The New Delhi summit has brought together some of the world’s most powerful political leaders.
Leaders attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi
| Country | Representative |
| 🇮🇳 India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| 🇨🇳 China | President Xi Jinping |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | President Vladimir Putin |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | President Masoud Pezeshkian |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | President Prabowo Subianto |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan |
Brazil and Saudi Arabia were represented by senior officials rather than their heads of government.
Bharat Mandapam Turns into the World’s Most Secure Diplomatic Venue
New Delhi witnessed unprecedented security and ceremonial preparations.
The capital was decorated with BRICS flags, floral installations and digital welcome displays. Thousands of security personnel were deployed around the summit venue, diplomatic routes and hotels hosting international delegations.
Traffic routes were redesigned to ensure smooth movement of presidential convoys arriving from across the world.
The summit has transformed Bharat Mandapam into the centre of global diplomacy.
Modi’s Welcome Message: India Wants BRICS to Deliver Real Solutions
Opening the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that BRICS should become a platform that produces practical solutions, not just political statements.
India called for:
- stronger cooperation among developing countries,
- resilient supply chains,
- innovation-led growth,
- sustainable development,
- inclusive global governance,
- and greater representation for the Global South.
India’s presidency positions BRICS as a bridge between emerging economies and the broader international community.
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi Hold Key Bilateral Meeting
One of the summit’s most closely watched moments was the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional stability and future cooperation while also participating in BRICS sessions together.
The meeting comes after efforts by both countries to stabilise relations following years of border tensions.
Diplomatic observers described the interaction as one of the summit’s most significant developments.
Putin Arrives in India as Russia Deepens BRICS Partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi alongside BRICS discussions.
The leaders reviewed:
- strategic partnership,
- defence cooperation,
- energy collaboration,
- trade and investment,
- and regional security
Russia continues to view BRICS as a major platform for expanding economic cooperation with emerging markets.
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: Why Everyone is Talking About the US Dollar at BRICS 2026
Perhaps the biggest global debate surrounding BRICS is the future of international payments.
Many BRICS countries are exploring ways to:
- increase trade in national currencies,
- reduce transaction costs,
- strengthen cross-border payment systems,
- diversify financial cooperation beyond existing Western systems.
However, leaders did not announce the replacement of the US dollar with a new BRICS currency during this summit.
Instead, discussions focused on expanding financial cooperation and creating more flexible payment mechanisms among member nations.
That distinction is important as misinformation around a “BRICS currency launch” continues to circulate online.
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The Global South is the Biggest Winner of This Summit
India has repeatedly positioned BRICS as the collective voice of the Global South.
The expanded membership now includes countries from:
- South Asia,
- East Asia,
- Africa,
- the Middle East,
- Latin America.
Together, these nations represent enormous populations, energy resources, manufacturing capacity and emerging markets.
India argues that developing nations deserve greater influence in institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank and IMF.
Major Issues Discussed at BRICS Summit 2026
The summit agenda extends well beyond politics.
Key discussion topics include:
| Priority Area | Focus |
| Global Trade | Boosting trade among BRICS members and reducing barriers. |
| Finance | National currency settlements and payment cooperation. |
| Technology | Digital infrastructure, AI, innovation and cybersecurity. |
| Climate | Sustainable development and green energy partnerships. |
| Food Security | Agriculture cooperation and resilient supply chains. |
| Healthcare | Public health collaboration and pharmaceutical partnerships. |
| Global Governance | UN reforms and stronger representation for developing nations. |
These priorities align with India’s official presidency agenda
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: India Holds Multiple Bilateral Meetings Alongside the Summit
Beyond the main summit sessions, Prime Minister Modi held several bilateral meetings.
These included discussions with leaders from:
- Russia,
- China,
- Iran,
- Egypt,
- Ethiopia,
- South Africa,
- Indonesia,
- and the UAE.
The meetings covered defence, energy, trade, investment, connectivity and regional cooperation.
For India, these one-on-one meetings are just as important as the main BRICS declaration.
Can BRICS Stay United Despite Global Conflicts?
This summit is taking place during one of the most uncertain geopolitical periods in years.
BRICS members have different strategic interests:
- India balances relations with both East and West.
- China competes strategically with several major powers.
- Russia faces continuing Western sanctions.
- Iran is involved in regional tensions.
- Gulf countries maintain their own diplomatic priorities.
Despite these differences, leaders agreed on strengthening multilateralism and peaceful dialogue during summit discussions.
That consensus remains one of BRICS’ biggest diplomatic achievements.
What Makes BRICS Different in 2026?
The BRICS grouping has changed dramatically since its formation.
BRICS Then vs BRICS Now
| Earlier BRICS | Expanded BRICS 2026 |
| 5 member nations. | 11 member nations. |
| Focused mainly on economic cooperation. | Broader agenda including finance, technology, climate, health and governance. |
| Limited geographic reach. | Representation across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. |
| Smaller global influence. | Growing voice for emerging economies and the Global South. |
The expansion reflects BRICS’ ambition to become a more influential global platform
What Outcomes Can the World Expect?
Several outcomes are expected from the summit:
- stronger cooperation in trade and investment,
- enhanced collaboration in digital payments,
- commitments on sustainable development,
- expanded partnerships among developing economies,
- a joint declaration addressing major international issues,
- and renewed calls for reforming global governance institutions.
The declaration is expected to guide BRICS cooperation during the coming year.
BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: Why BRICS 2026 Matters for India
For India, hosting the summit is about leadership on the global stage.
New Delhi has demonstrated its ability to bring together countries with diverse political systems and strategic interests under one platform.
The summit also reinforces India’s growing diplomatic role after hosting major global forums in recent years.
As leaders depart New Delhi, India’s message remains clear: emerging economies want a bigger role in shaping the future of the global order.
BRICS Summit 2026: Key Takeaways
- India hosted the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
- The summit marked the first gathering of the expanded 11-member BRICS bloc under India’s presidency.
- Leaders including Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, Masoud Pezeshkian, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Abiy Ahmed and Prabowo Subianto attended in person.
- Discussions focused on trade, financial cooperation, technology, sustainable development, healthcare and UN reforms.
- India positioned BRICS as a platform for strengthening the Global South and promoting multilateral cooperation.
