India is preparing to host one of the most closely watched diplomatic events of 2026 as world leaders are expected to gather in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. The summit has gained major global attention after Russia confirmed President Vladimir Putin’s participation, while reports suggest Chinese President Xi Jinping is also likely to attend.
The meeting comes at a time when global tensions continue to rise due to the Iran conflict, US trade pressure, and divisions inside the BRICS bloc itself. With several geopolitical crises unfolding simultaneously, the New Delhi summit is now being viewed as a crucial moment for emerging economies trying to reshape global diplomacy.
Putin’s Participation Confirmed for BRICS Summit 2026
Russian officials have officially confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will travel to India for the BRICS Summit. Reports from Russian state media and diplomatic sources said Moscow has already communicated its participation plans for the two-day summit.
Putin’s visit is expected to focus heavily on strategic cooperation, energy partnerships, trade settlements and the future direction of BRICS amid growing pressure from Western countries.
The Russian President’s visit to India also carries significance because Russia continues to face sanctions and diplomatic pressure from the United States and Europe.
Xi Jinping’s India Visit Could Be First Since 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the summit in New Delhi, according to reports citing diplomatic sources. If the visit takes place, it will mark Xi’s first trip to India since his informal summit meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, in October 2019.
India-China relations sharply deteriorated after the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and later tensions near the Tawang sector in 2022. Since then, both countries have maintained military and diplomatic talks to reduce border tensions.
Xi and Modi last held a major interaction during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where both leaders attempted to restart communication channels after years of strained relations.
Why the BRICS Summit 2026 Matters Globally
The upcoming BRICS Summit has become especially important because internal disagreements inside the bloc have intensified in recent months. Reports suggest that BRICS members failed to agree on a joint statement during deputy foreign minister-level talks held in New Delhi in April.
Differences reportedly emerged over the Iran conflict, Middle East tensions and wording related to the Israel-Palestine issue. These disagreements exposed visible divisions inside the expanded 11-member grouping.
India, which currently holds the BRICS presidency for 2026, is now expected to play a key diplomatic role in balancing competing geopolitical interests within the bloc.
New Delhi will host the summit under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
What Is BRICS and Why Is It Expanding?
BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China as a platform to promote a more balanced global order and increase the influence of developing economies in international institutions.
South Africa later joined the grouping, turning BRIC into BRICS. Over the past few years, the bloc expanded further by including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
The expansion has significantly increased BRICS’ global economic influence and geopolitical weight.
The bloc often positions itself as an alternative voice to Western-led institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and G7.
Donald Trump Previously Called BRICS “Anti-American”
The BRICS grouping has also faced criticism from US President Donald Trump, who previously described it as an “anti-American” bloc and warned against attempts to weaken the US dollar’s global dominance.
Following the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Trump warned that countries aligning closely with BRICS policies could face additional US tariffs.
“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump wrote earlier while discussing broader geopolitical negotiations involving BRICS countries and the Middle East crisis.
His comments came after BRICS leaders criticised unilateral tariffs and protectionist trade measures in their joint declaration.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act Under Spotlight
As geopolitical divisions deepen across the world, India’s handling of the BRICS Summit is likely to attract major international attention. The simultaneous presence of leaders such as Vladimir Putin and potentially Xi Jinping could place New Delhi at the centre of global diplomacy during a highly volatile period.
Political analysts believe the summit may shape future discussions on trade, security, multipolar governance and the growing divide between Western nations and emerging economies.
With conflicts, sanctions and economic uncertainty dominating global politics, the BRICS Summit 2026 is now expected to become much more than a routine diplomatic gathering.
