BRICS Summit 2026 Highlights: PM Modi Holds Bilateral Meet With Xi, Hosts Gala Dinner For Global Leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared a video on X of what he described as an 'action-packed' day at BRICS 2026.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with Union Ministers and Chief Ministers attended the gala dinner at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

BRICS leaders on Saturday visited the Bharat Innovates exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing India's growing capabilities in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, "Met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Delhi BRICS Summit. We reviewed the full range of India-China relations. Also conveyed best wishes for China's BRICS Presidency that commences next year."

BRICS leaders will be served a distinctly Indian menu at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gala dinner, with the spread bringing together traditional flavours and contemporary interpretations.

The menu includes pomegranate juice and coconut water, followed by dishes such as Khandvi Mille-Feuille, Khumb Galouti, Paneer Lababdar, mushroom kebab, millet pulao and beetroot raita. For dessert, guests can choose between Old Delhi fruit ice cream served with jalebi and Shahtoot Phirni.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Bharat Mandapam to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gala dinner for BRICS leaders, joining other world leaders and delegates at the evening gathering following the first day of the summit in New Delhi.

Chief Ministers and Union Ministers travelled together in a special bus from Parliament to Bharat Mandapam to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gala dinner for BRICS leaders.

During a bilateral meeting with the President of China, Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that continued development of bilateral ties relies on preserving the peace and tranquillity of the border areas.

“He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, taking into account the broader political perspective of their bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, the ministry added.

The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded.

"In the face of a complex international landscape marked by intertwined changes and challenges, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, shoulder significant responsibilities. Both sides should keep the future of humanity in mind and the well-being of their peoples at heart, and work together to advance high-quality cooperation within the greater BRICS framework. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive, mutually beneficial form of economic globalisation, injecting more positive energy into the promotion of world peace, stability, development and prosperity,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday described BRICS as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries and urged the grouping to play its 'due role' in promoting peace in West Asia.

China’s President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that China views its ties with India from a strategic and long-term perspective, according to Reuters.

Xi Jinping has urged China and India to join hands to promote greater cooperation among BRICS countries, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping began on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

BRICS countries unanimously adopted a joint declaration on Saturday, expressing “deep concern” over the ongoing war in West Asia. The grouping called for maximum restraint and supported a “multilateral approach” that takes into account the positions of individual nations.

“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East and call for exercising maximum restraint, avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ said.

The declaration also reiterated the member countries’ commitment to resolving international disputes peacefully “through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold a bilateral meeting shortly on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The BRICS joint declaration condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.

“We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens," the declaration read.

The New Delhi Declaration 2026 said, "We commend India for hosting the Outreach/BRICS Plus Dialogue segment of the 18th BRICS Summit, which injects new impetus to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity."

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that the war in West Asia, which began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, is not in the interests of the world, according to Chinese state media.

"As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region," state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi.

Xi said the conflict "does not serve the common interests of the international community."

The New Delhi Declaration 2026, adopted on Saturday, calls for efforts to prevent conflicts, including by addressing their root causes, news agency Reuters reported.

“No member has raised any objection. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 is adopted unanimously,” PM Modi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China will work with other BRICS members to play its due role in promoting peace and tranquillity in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

During the BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The third point I wish to raise concerns rule-making. Ensuring equal participation in defining future global rules is crucial. Domains such as AI, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology, and critical technologies are not only shaping future opportunities but also defining future rules. We must strive to transform the Global South from a ‘rule-taker’ into a ‘rule-shaper.’ Through BRICS, we can equip young diplomats and policymakers from Global South nations with negotiation skills, practical training, and legal expertise.”

China will assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2027 and host the 19th BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Addressing the BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi proposed the creation of a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” to provide assistance to seafarers during difficult situations. He said the network would connect maritime authorities and diplomatic missions of relevant countries to help with distress alerts, medical aid, family notifications and evacuations.

Addressing the BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi said India's BRICS chairmanship was based on a “people-centric and humanity-first approach.” He said resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability were among India’s key priorities, with a special focus on connecting BRICS cooperation with people.

PM Modi officially declared the 18th BRICS Summit open in New Delhi on Saturday. The summit is being held under India’s chairship, with leaders from BRICS member countries attending meeting.

PM Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as the 18th BRICS Summit kicks off.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to attend the summit.

PM Modi arrived at Bharat Mandapam as BRICS Summit begins under India’s chairship. EAM S Jaishankar accompanied the Prime Minister to the venue.

The 18th BRICS Summit is set to begin shortly at Bharat Mandapam, with leaders arriving at the venue. Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali was spotted arriving at the venue.

PM Modi on Saturday said India-UAE ties have been transformed in recent years and that both countries are now looking to raise their ambitions further. In a post on X, PM Modi said he met UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed taking the Strategic Partnership forward in areas including defence, AI, space, critical minerals, energy, food security and connectivity. The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.

Report suggests that the grouping has agreed on a joint statement, which is expected to be issued at 4 pm on Saturday. The statement is likely to “deplore” all forms of aggression and stress that “dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward” to resolve conflicts.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and received a warm welcome from India. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Xi and said India looks forward to constructive discussions as BRICS works to strengthen cooperation and contribute to a more balanced, representative and multipolar world.

Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov, arrives in Delhi to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026.

PM Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks with Vietnam PM Le Minh Hung at Hyderabad House on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Delhi to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026.

PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of BRICS 2026.

PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Hyderabad House on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026.

PM Modi on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Security checks are underway at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, which begins today.

Hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said China will work with India to manage differences under the guidance of PM Modi and Chinese President Xi.

China and India are arranging for the bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi.

This will be the third year in a row for the two leaders to meet with each other, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.

China will work with India to act on the… pic.twitter.com/jD3GeZpjZk

— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) September 11, 2026

Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, arrived in India for the BRICS Summit 2026. The summit will begin in the afternoon.

#WATCH | Delhi: Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, arrives in India for the BRICS Summit 2026. pic.twitter.com/LShABukmLo

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2026

PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit today. The meetings include talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

The 18th BRICS Summit will begin with a closed session of BRICS member countries at 2:35 pm today. The session will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism."

According to Xinhua, Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday said BRICS is at an “inflection point” amid shifts in the global economy, changing trade patterns, rapid technological advances and growing climate pressures. He said these changes offer an opportunity to build a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economic future for the Global South.

Addressing the Leaders' Session of the BRICS Business Forum, Ramaphosa said countries and companies are being forced to reconsider where they source, produce and invest.

“As BRICS, we find ourselves at an inflection point. As the global economy is reshaped, as trade patterns shift, as technological advances accelerate, and as climate pressures increase, countries and companies are compelled to reconsider where they source, produce, and invest. For us, this is an opportunity to shape a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economic future for the Global South,” ANI quoted Ramaphosa.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and business leaders in New Delhi. “We will not surrender to oppression. We will exchange experiences in order to build a society in which all human beings live freely and without oppression and exploitation. That is what we are pursuing in Iran. And that is what the United States of America does not want, because we want to remain independent. They try their best so that we cannot provide services to our people. Since our revolution was victorious, they have tried to bring about division, sanctions and discord in our society, and they want to sow the seeds of discord in our society in order that their own intentions will prevail."

"First of all, I have to appreciate the government of India and the Prime Minister for his very nice hospitality. We have had very nice talks with each other. And I hope that these talks and relations will pave the way for further cooperation and sympathy in developing culture, technology, trade, science, economy, and other areas. Actually, we can revive them together," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday.

Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, arrives in India for the BRICS Summit 2026.

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary posted on X, "Traditional delicacies sattu and makhana, featured in the welcome kit at the BRICS Summit in Delhi, have put Bihar’s rich culinary heritage, traditions and entrepreneurial spirit in the global spotlight. Gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has realiSed the 'Local to Global' resolve. A new identity for a new Bihar — Bihar’s flavours are now reaching the world."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026

Visuals from the venue where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and business leaders today. Tributes were also paid here to the children killed in Minab.

"As BRICS enters its third decade, I would like to urge the BRICS Business Council: Can you prepare a report on removing the top ten trade barriers among BRICS nations? Can we support 100 BRICS startups annually to scale up in other BRICS markets? Can we forge a thousand new partnerships among our businesses? We should review our progress on these three parameters every year. Let us transform BRICS' ambitions into action and our collective strength into global solutions. Let BRICS move forward and propel the world forward as well," PM Modi said.

"Global trade progress is possible only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe. That is why India is a staunch supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers. The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance is also a key part of our vision. We want women entrepreneurs to lead our growth story. We are delighted that around 200 women business leaders participated in the meeting of this alliance held in India."

"The theme of India’s BRICS chairmanship is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.' Over the past 12 years, India has made this mantra the foundation of its economic and trade policies. Regarding resilience, India has made supply chains spanning sectors from energy to technology more diversified and reliable. It is a result of this resilience that, even amidst global uncertainties, India today offers the assurance of growth and stability. We are rapidly expanding our roads, railways, ports, and airports. Simultaneously, we are building new capabilities in strategic sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals, and biotechnology. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has given fresh momentum to financial inclusion and digital transactions on a massive scale. Today, 50% of the world's real-time payments take place using this technology," PM Modi said.

"Today, BRICS nations represent 50% of the world's population, 40% of its GDP, and over 25% of global trade. Moreover, while global GDP has grown approximately two-and-a-half-fold over these years, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has expanded nearly four-and-a-half-fold. In other words, the economic strength of BRICS has grown at nearly twice the pace of the rest of the world. BRICS nations are also emerging as key hubs for global innovation and solutions. New possibilities for innovation, spanning everything from grassroots initiatives to frontier technologies, are taking shape within our countries. The growing scale, speed, and optimism of BRICS are clearly evident among us. This forum, hosted in India, is the largest BRICS Business Forum to date," PM Modi said at BRICS Business Forum.

'Strong business partnerships can open new avenues for growth, innovation and shared prosperity', PM Modi said at the BRICS Business Forum.

"Excellency, Honourable Prime Minister, colleagues, excellencies, heads of state, friends in the audience, representing the business communities of our countries, our today's event, as is tradition, is a prelude to the BRICS summit. And this august assembly shows the growing interest in strengthening business contacts and relationships across the BRICS space. It is evident that reliable business-to-business ties and economic partnerships are the backbone of international economic relations. They help build these relations in a stronger, resilient manner. They help overcome the problems the world is facing. And right now, the world is undergoing structural, deep, profound shifts," Putin said at BRICS Business Forum.

"I would like to sincerely thank the friendly government and people of India for graciously hosting this meeting, as well as the honourable Prime Minister of India for his valuable efforts to strengthen BRICS cooperation. It is a source of great satisfaction for me to be present today among representatives of the private sector, business enterprises and entrepreneurs who can transform the idea of cooperation within BRICS into tangible economic realities," the Iranian President said.

"The world today is going through one of its most complex periods. Geopolitical uncertainty, disruptions in supply chains and the increasing use of economic instruments to exert political pressure have made the economic environment in which countries operate more complex. The question is, what is BRICS' response to these challenges? We believe that the true strength of BRICS is not confined merely to the size of its members' economies. Rather, it becomes more apparent when these capacities are transformed into a network of trade, investment and joint financing, that is, a transition from potential cooperation to operational cooperation."

"Delighted to meet President Putin in Delhi, less than two weeks after our meeting in Bishkek. During today’s meeting we talked about: Closer trade ties, including implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030. Cooperation in areas like infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, culture and more. India’s efforts during our BRICS Presidency aimed at furthering the welfare of our planet," PM Modi wrote on X after bilateral meet with Putin.

At Leaders' Session of BRICS Business Forum, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "The growing relevance of BRICS is reflected in our trade performance. Merchandise exports from BRICS countries to the world increased from about 900 billion dollars in 2003 to nearly 6 trillion dollars in 2024, raising our share of global exports from about 12% to now nearly 24%. This remarkable expansion demonstrates the scale of the BRICS market and our potential to deepen trade further in the years ahead. Our task is now to translate this momentum of growth into stronger inter-BRICS trade, more resilient supply chains and greater opportunities for our businesses."

Asserting that China is willing to work with India based on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China said that it will manage bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, promote dialogue and cooperation to properly handle differences, and move forward as good neighbours and partners who help each other.

'Continue To Be Good Neighbours': China's Message Before Xi Jinping's India Visit; Why PM Modi-Xi Meeting Matters

Authorities are handing a goodie bag to delegates and journalists at the Bharat Mandapam. From Bihar's Sattu and Makhana to special coffee from Odisha, check what's inside the special goodie bag.

Inside BRICS Summit 2026 Goodie Bag: Bihar's Sattu, Odisha's Coffee, Gujarati Stole And More For Delegates, Journalists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, an ancient Tamil classic.

The bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra has begun at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The two leaders are expected to discuss a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, expanding Industrial cooperation between the two nations and collaboration in the rail sector and tunnelling.

According to government sources, Putin and PM Modi will also discuss developing the steel value chain between Russia and India to create more B2B opportunities and broaden India's access to the Russian Market.

Chinese President will be arriving in Delhi for the BRICS Summit on Saturday, where he will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahead of his India visit, Xi Jinping has called for a partnership between India and China and said that "both countries should handle differences properly and view their ties from a strategic and long-term perspective."

This will be Xi Jinping's first India visit in seven years. Asked how China viewed the Modi-Xi meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that this will be the third year in a row that both leaders will meet following meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.

"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle bilateral relations from strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication and enhance cooperation to properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good neighbourliness and partners helping each other," Mao said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian lauded the BRICS before departing for New Delhi, calling the group a joint effort to "confront unilaterism". "The goal of BRICS is to confront unilateralism, and the slogan of the current summit is also within this framework, and we hope to get closer to this goal day by day. Of course, we know that economic issues are complex and we need new approaches to reduce totalitarianism and unilateralism in the world," he said, as quoted by ISNA.

"Independence, solidarity, sustainability, resistance, and innovation are the slogans of the summit, and economic, financial, industrial, and trade issues will be discussed at this summit. A special bank has been formed within the BRICS framework, and we are going to see investment from countries so that interactions between countries and members can be carried out without dependence on the dollar, thus reducing America's totalitarianism with the dollar," he added.

1. Xi Jinping - Chinese President

2. Vladimir Putin - Russian President

3. Cyril Ramaphosa - President of South Africa

4. Masoud Pezeshkian - President of Iran

5. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi - President of Egypt

6. Prabowo Subianto - President of Indonesia

7. Abiy Ahmed Ali - Ethiopian Prime Minister

8. Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysian Prime Minister

9. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

10. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

11. Mauro Vieira - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil

Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, arrives in India for the BRICS Summit 2026.

"Take a look at Sangam: A Confluence of Cultures; a large-scale collaborative public art project created by artists from 9 countries. Inspired by the Indian concept of Sangam, where rivers from different origins meet and flow together, the artwork brings together artists and cultures from across BRICS in a celebration of friendship and unity in diversity. Inspired by India's BRICS Chairship 2026 theme, the artwork reflects resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X.

Initially a group of four nations -- Brazil, Russia, India and China, BRICS has grown significantly in the past decade with seven more nations joining the group, including Iran, Egypt and Indonesia. 

These 11 nations represent nearly half the world's population and a significant share of the global economy, giving BRICS increased diplomatic clout. But are these nations able to establish a single-point agenda? Take a look at the agendas of all countries and why America is concerned about the bloc.

One Platform, 11 Countries: BRICS Members' Diplomatic Interests, India's Strategy And Trump's Anxiety Explained

Can the 11-nation BRICS+ group challenge the global power dynamics? Watch This Video

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday arrived in New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit. He will hold a bilateral meet with PM Modi later in the evening.

Union Ministers and Chief Ministers attending the BRICS Summit 2026 are expected to travel together in a single bus from Parliament to the summit venue at Bharat Mandapam. The participating Union Ministers and Chief Ministers will assemble at Parliament before proceeding together to Bharat Mandapam. The exact time for the leaders to assemble and depart from Parliament is yet to be finalised.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday began a three-day visit to India to participate in the BRICS summit and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand bilateral trade, investment and energy cooperation. Putin is accompanied by a high-level delegation. It will be his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi is illuminated ahead of the high-profile BRICS Summit, as the capital gears up to host the two-day event from September 12 to 13. Take a look at Bharat Mandapam, beautifully lit up ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026.

In view of the BRICS Summit, the government has enforced special security measures at Delhi Airport from 1:30 am today till 5:30 pm on September 13. Under the restrictions, ANI reported that no take-offs or landings will be allowed at IGI Airport and any other airports within a 300-km radius of Delhi. Only specified flights will be permitted during the period.

Regular scheduled flights and overflights can continue to fly over the 300-km zone on normal routes, but will be subject to height restrictions. While climbing, aircraft must reach Flight Level 290 (FL290) by the time they are 200 km from Delhi. While descending, aircraft must start descending from FL290 only when they are 200 km or more from Delhi.