BRICS Summit 2026: Global Spotlight on New Delhi as Modi-Xi Meeting Takes Centre Stage

The 18th BRICS Summit has begun in New Delhi as India hosts leaders of all 11 full member countries. With the Russia-Ukraine war, the West Asia conflict, energy security, global trade tensions and India-China relations dominating the geopolitical landscape, the Modi-Xi Jinping meeting is among the most closely watched developments of the summit.

The world is watching New Delhi as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam. The summit brings together leaders of all 11 full BRICS member countries at a time when the global geopolitical and economic landscape is facing multiple challenges.

The summit is being attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other BRICS leaders.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, the ongoing conflict in West Asia, energy security concerns, trade tensions and growing disruptions in global supply chains.

As a result, the 2026 BRICS Summit is not simply an economic or diplomatic gathering. It carries significant geopolitical importance.

## ***BRICS Summit Begins with Closed-Door Discussions***

The first day of the summit begins with a closed-door session involving the leaders of BRICS member countries.

The central theme of the session is **inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism**.

The discussions are expected to focus on increasing the representation of developing countries in global institutions and making international decision-making more representative.

Following its expansion, BRICS now has 11 full members, giving the grouping significant economic, demographic and geopolitical weight on the global stage.

## ***BRICS Leaders to Visit India Innovates Exhibition***

Following the closed-door session, BRICS leaders are scheduled to visit the **India Innovates Exhibition**, where India is showcasing its technological and innovation capabilities.

The exhibition features projects related to artificial intelligence-based healthcare, marine robotics, clean energy, deep technology and other emerging technologies.

The programme will also include an official family photograph of the BRICS leaders, followed by a joint tree plantation programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a gala dinner for the visiting BRICS leaders in the evening.

## ***India Begins High-Level Diplomatic Engagements***

India's diplomatic engagement began even before the formal summit proceedings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including political relations, trade, defence, energy, space and economic cooperation.

India and Russia also emphasised the need to further expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation in the coming years.

Russia has also underlined the importance of BRICS as a platform for strengthening global economic cooperation.

## ***Modi Holds Talks with Iranian President***

Prime Minister Modi also held an important meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia forms an important backdrop to the discussions between India and Iran.

India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving regional conflicts.

Freedom of navigation, maritime security and the safety of international trade routes are also becoming increasingly important as instability in West Asia threatens global energy and shipping networks.

## ***BRICS Faces a Complex Geopolitical Environment***

The 2026 BRICS Summit goes far beyond economic cooperation.

The grouping brings together major global powers such as Russia and China, while Iran is also an important member amid continuing instability in West Asia.

The interests and foreign policy priorities of BRICS members do not always align. This creates a significant diplomatic challenge for India as the host country and current BRICS chair.

One of India's key objectives is to build consensus among members while keeping the focus on practical areas of cooperation.

## ***India's Four Key Priorities***

During its BRICS chairmanship, India has placed emphasis on four broad priorities:

**Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.**

These priorities cover a wide range of issues, including food security, energy security, technology, healthcare, disaster resilience, trade and critical supply chains.

India is also seeking to strengthen practical cooperation among BRICS countries rather than limiting the grouping to political declarations.

## ***Focus on Startups, Technology and Supply Chains***

Technology, innovation, startups, logistics and supply-chain resilience have emerged as important areas of cooperation under India's BRICS chairmanship.

Initiatives involving BRICS innovation networks, startup cooperation and logistics and supply-chain frameworks are aimed at improving economic and technological collaboration among member countries.

The summit will provide an opportunity to assess how these initiatives can be taken forward.

## ***Xi Jinping's India Visit Adds Major Diplomatic Significance***

One of the most closely watched developments at the summit is the India-China relationship.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in India on September 12, and his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attracting significant international attention.

India-China relations remained under considerable strain following the 2020 Ladakh stand-off. In recent years, however, both sides have taken steps aimed at stabilising bilateral relations and maintaining dialogue.

Against this backdrop, the Modi-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit could become an important diplomatic moment.

The focus will be on whether the two leaders can further advance efforts to stabilise bilateral relations and address broader issues of mutual concern.

## ***Energy Security and the Strait of Hormuz***

The ongoing instability in West Asia has made energy security and maritime security increasingly important for BRICS countries.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy and shipping routes. Any major disruption in the region could affect oil supplies, transportation costs and international trade.

Several BRICS members are major energy producers, while others are among the world's largest energy consumers and importers.

This makes energy security, diversification and resilient supply chains important areas for potential cooperation.

## ***Global Trade Tensions Add to the Challenge***

Global trade fragmentation is another major issue confronting BRICS economies.

US tariff policies, protectionist measures and rising trade tensions between major economies have increased uncertainty across international supply chains.

For BRICS countries, this creates a greater need for cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, investment, logistics and alternative payment mechanisms.

India's approach is focused on building practical economic partnerships while strengthening the resilience of global supply chains.

## ***Main Open Session on September 13***

The main open session of the BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 13.

Partner countries and outreach invitees are also expected to participate in the broader summit proceedings.

Attention will then turn to the summit outcomes and the **New Delhi Declaration**, which could provide important signals about BRICS' priorities and its collective position on major global issues.

## ***A Major Diplomatic Test for India***

The 18th BRICS Summit is taking place at a time of major geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

India faces the challenge of balancing its strategic relationships with Russia, China and Iran while simultaneously pushing for greater cooperation on trade, technology, energy, investment and supply-chain resilience.

The summit also provides India with an opportunity to strengthen its role as a bridge between countries with differing political and strategic interests.

The key question now is whether the New Delhi summit will remain primarily a platform for diplomatic statements and high-level meetings or produce concrete initiatives capable of addressing some of the world's major economic and geopolitical challenges.

The outcomes of the summit, particularly the discussions on global governance, energy security, trade, technology and India-China relations, will be closely watched around the world.

**Stay connected with Doordarshi News for the latest developments from the BRICS Summit 2026.**