BRICS Summit 2026 New Delhi: New Delhi is about to become the centre of a major diplomatic gathering as India hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and 13. With China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa among the leaders expected, the summit comes at a time of major geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the summit as India holds the BRICS chair for 2026. The two-day meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi will bring together the expanded 11-member grouping, partner countries and invited leaders for discussions on trade, investment, energy, food security, supply chains, multilateralism and global governance.
BRICS Summit 2026: When and Where is the BRICS Summit 2026?
India will host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and 13, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
India assumed the BRICS chairmanship on January 1 and has built its 2026 programme around the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a people-centric approach reflected in the principle of “Humanity First”.
The Indian presidency has already held more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across more than 25 cities as part of its year-long BRICS programme.
The year also marks 20 years since BRICS was established.
BRICS Summit 2026: Why This BRICS Summit Matters for India?
The expanded BRICS grouping gives India a larger platform to push its priorities on economic cooperation and the interests of the Global South.
The summit will focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as:
- Trade and investment
- Energy and food security
- Supply-chain resilience
- Financial and institutional cooperation
- Digital economy and innovation
- Multilateralism
- Global governance reforms
- Sustainable and inclusive development
South Africa has said the summit will also discuss stronger intra-BRICS trade and investment, industrialisation and African infrastructure development.
At the same time, India faces a difficult balancing act. China, Russia and Iran have different strategic priorities from India, while the grouping also includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. BRICS negotiators are working to bridge differences over how the conflict should feature in the summit’s joint declaration.
BRICS Summit 2026: Xi Jinping, Putin and Pezeshkian Among Key Leaders
Several high-profile leaders are expected to make the trip to New Delhi.
Among the most closely watched participants are:
| Country | Leader | Position |
|---|---|---|
| India (Host) | Narendra Modi | Prime Minister |
| China | Xi Jinping | President |
| Russia | Vladimir Putin | President |
| Iran | Masoud Pezeshkian | President |
| South Africa | Cyril Ramaphosa | President |
| Egypt | Abdel Fattah el-Sisi | President |
| Ethiopia | Abiy Ahmed | Prime Minister |
| Indonesia | Prabowo Subianto | President |
| UAE | Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan | Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi leadership/delegation | BRICS member |
| Brazil | Brazilian delegation | BRICS member |
Russia has confirmed Putin’s participation, while China’s Xi is expected to attend. South Africa has also officially confirmed Ramaphosa’s attendance.
Xi’s visit has attracted particular attention because it will mark his first trip to India in several years. His presence also creates an opportunity for Modi and Xi to discuss India-China relations, trade and other bilateral concerns on the sidelines of the summit.
BRICS Summit 2026: BRICS Has Grown Beyond Its Original Five Members
BRICS began in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined the grouping in 2010.
The bloc expanded significantly in 2024, bringing in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE, while Indonesia later became a full member.
The 11 current full members are:
- Brazil
- Russia
- India
- China
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
The expansion has increased BRICS’ economic and geopolitical weight, but it has also made consensus more difficult because members do not always share the same positions on international conflicts or economic policy.
BRICS Summit 2026: Partner Countries and Outreach Leaders to Join
The summit will also bring leaders from BRICS partner and invited countries.
Among those expected are:
| Leader | Position | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Lukashenko | President | Belarus |
| Kassym-Jomart Tokayev | President | Kazakhstan |
| Anwar Ibrahim | Prime Minister | Malaysia |
| Anutin Charnvirakul | Prime Minister | Thailand |
| Miguel Díaz-Canel | President | Cuba |
| Bola Ahmed Tinubu | President | Nigeria |
| Shavkat Mirziyoyev | President | Uzbekistan |
| Jessica Alupo | Vice-President | Uganda |
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to attend. Current reports describe the summit as a gathering involving BRICS members, partner states and outreach invitees.
BRICS Summit 2026: BRICS Business Forum to Begin Before Leaders’ Summit
The diplomatic programme will get an economic start on September 11, when the BRICS Business Forum meets at Bharat Mandapam.
The forum will bring together government representatives, business leaders, financial institutions and startups from BRICS countries and partner states. Discussions will cover trade, supply chains, investment, finance, technology and development.
The business meeting will also allow Indian and Chinese companies to discuss trade and investment issues.
BRICS Summit 2026: Chinese Business Delegation Draws Attention
China is expected to bring a sizeable business delegation alongside Xi Jinping.
The participation of major Chinese companies has added an important economic dimension to the summit, particularly as India and China look to improve commercial ties while differences over investment and technology remain.
Recent reporting indicates that Indian officials could raise concerns over restrictions faced by Indian companies in China and barriers affecting imports of high-tech equipment.
The discussions could therefore become important for future cooperation in technology, manufacturing, supply chains and investment.
BRICS Summit 2026: Modi to Meet Putin and Pezeshkian
The summit will also create space for Prime Minister Modi to hold bilateral meetings with several visiting leaders.
Officials have confirmed Modi’s meetings with Putin and Pezeshkian on Friday, ahead of the main summit programme.
The Modi-Putin talks are expected to cover India-Russia ties, including defence, energy and economic cooperation. The two countries are also exploring deeper industrial and technology cooperation.
A Modi-Xi meeting is also being closely watched because of the importance of India-China relations to the wider BRICS agenda.
BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi Prepares for Major Security Operation
The scale of the summit has prompted Delhi to deploy a major security operation.
Around 25,000 security personnel, including Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and more than 100 NSG commandos, are involved in arrangements, according to The Indian Express. Authorities are securing airports, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and designated movement corridors.
Police have also prepared extensive routes for the movement of foreign leaders and their delegations. Hotels hosting visiting leaders have undergone additional security checks, while anti-drone measures and mock drills form part of the preparations.
BRICS Summit 2026: What to Expect
The New Delhi summit will bring together an expanded BRICS group at a time when global trade, wars, energy security and geopolitical rivalries are putting pressure on the international system.
For India, the summit offers two simultaneous opportunities: to strengthen its leadership among emerging economies and to manage differences between powerful members such as China, Russia and Iran.
The leaders are expected to conclude the summit with the New Delhi Declaration, setting out the group’s position on cooperation and major global issues.
