HighLights
  1. India to host 18th BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
  2. Xi Jinping confirmed to attend 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
  3. Prior speculation about Xi's attendance now resolved.

BRICS Summit 2026: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed that President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13. The official announcement comes after days of intense speculation regarding his participation and closely follows a wave of uncertainty earlier in the day when Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters he had "no information to provide."

Xi Jinping To Attend BRICS Summit

The Chinese MFA noted that at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi will participate in 18th edition of the summit that will be held at Bharat Mandapam. The national capital has been decorated with posters and illuminated installations as preparations for the two-day summit continue. India is hosting the summit under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

Russian Prez Putin Confirmed, Xi’s Attendance Still Unclear

Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are also confirmed to attend the summit, while Brazil will officially be represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit will be closely watched as Xi will visit India after seven years. He had last visited India in 2019.

China Backs India’s BRICS Presidency

With the summit just two days away, the discussion around Xi’s attendance had intensified on Thursday as the Chinese Ministry didn't confirm his participation. Earlier in the day, when asked whether the Chinese President would attend the Summit, Chinese MFA spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "Regarding the question you raised, I currently have no information to provide."

Prior to this, on Wednesday, Beijing highlighted that it “attaches great importance” to BRICS cooperation and supports India’s role as the summit chair, while officially not confirming Xi's attendance.

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The lack of confirmation was called unusual as it raised questions over whether Xi will attend personally or send another senior Chinese leader as he did during G20 Summit 2023 held in India. 

What Happened In G20 Summit 2023?

There is also a recent precedent for Xi skipping a major summit in India. During the G20 Summit in 2023, Xi did not attend the event, and China was instead represented by Premier Li Qiang. While Beijing did not give an official reason for Xi’s absence at the time, it was speculated that the decision came amid strained India-China relations following the 2020 border clashes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

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Meanwhile, several news outlets, citing sources have reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi will hold a bilateral meeting on Saturday, the first day of the summit.

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