India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, according to Reuters. Leaders from 11 BRICS nations are gathering for talks on a wide range of issues, though discussions are heavily influenced by the impact of President Trump’s policies, as reported by the BBC.
New Delhi Prepares to Host 18th BRICS Summit
India assumed the BRICS chairship on January 1, 2026, marking the fourth time India has held the role during a year that also commemorates two decades of BRICS. The summit’s theme under India’s chairship is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,
guided by the vision of Humanity First.
The 11-member grouping represents more than a quarter of the global economy and nearly half of the world’s population, serving as a platform for the Global South.
Middle East Tensions Test Bloc Unity
The summit takes place as the U.S.-led war on Iran creates divisions among the membership, placing Tehran and Abu Dhabi on opposing sides. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that differences between the UAE and Iran have a negative impact and hinder the drafting of a joint declaration, though leaders hope to find acceptable phrasing for both countries.
Earlier in May, foreign ministers from BRICS nations failed to issue a joint statement in New Delhi due to these differences. However, optimism remains following a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit where members—including leaders such as Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Masoud Pezeshkian—signed a joint declaration condemning the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Western sanctions. Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Bhatia noted that the Bishkek joint statement raised hopes that BRICS can similarly bridge the divide.
High-Level International Attendance
Key global figures arriving in New Delhi for the summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s attendance marks his first visit to India in seven years.
Other attendees include Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UAE is expected to be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In addition, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the summit as part of India’s outreach to partner countries, reflecting Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy and a populous nation.
Economic Cooperation and Bilateral Talks
Economic cooperation forms a central pillar of the agenda, with India advocating for:
- Resilient and diversified supply chains
- Greater trade in services
- Stronger participation of MSMEs in global trade
- Easier access to trade finance
Beyond multilateral negotiations, key bilateral meetings are anticipated on the sidelines of the summit. Attention centers on scheduled talks between Modi and Putin, as well as potential discussions between Modi and Xi. A Modi-Xi meeting would mark their third encounter since bilateral ties began improving last year following an agreement to ease military tensions along their disputed Himalayan border.