Archive · 8 Sep 2026
India Hosts 2026 BRICS Summit Amid Global Tensions
India is hosting an important meeting called the BRICS Summit.
It will take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026.
BRICS is a group of 11 developing and emerging countries that discuss economic and global issues.
India is leading the group this year and wants members to cooperate more on trade, businesses and supply chains.
Leaders will also discuss conflicts and other international problems.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin is expected to attend, while China’s Xi Jinping is expected but has not been formally confirmed.
Iran wants India to encourage dialogue over the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
India must work with countries that have different interests while also maintaining relationships with Western countries and Gulf states.
The summit could show how much influence BRICS can have in world affairs.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
The summit will bring together BRICS members, partner countries and outreach invitees under India’s chairship.
BRICS comprises 11 countries representing about 49% of the world’s population and 39% of global GDP.
India is promoting balanced trade, services, resilient supply chains and improved financing for small businesses.
China’s Xi Jinping is expected but not confirmed, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend.
- Who
- India will host leaders from BRICS member countries, partner countries and outreach invitees, including Vladimir Putin and potentially Xi Jinping.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit will discuss cooperation among members and global and regional issues.
- When
- September 12–13, 2026; India assumed the BRICS chairship on January 1, 2026.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India; a finance ministers’ meeting will precede it in Mumbai.
- Why
- The summit aims to strengthen BRICS cooperation and give emerging and developing countries greater influence in global affairs.
Supporters and Advocates
Critics and Internal Tensions
BRICS’s global role
Supporters and Advocates
Supporters describe BRICS as a platform for emerging economies to gain a stronger voice and challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions.
Critics and Internal Tensions
Critics note that BRICS is a loose bloc with internal divisions, and its members may struggle to form a unified position on major crises.
India’s diplomatic strategy
Supporters and Advocates
India can use its chairship to promote dialogue, strategic autonomy and cooperation while engaging with China, Russia, Iran and other developing countries.
Critics and Internal Tensions
India must balance relationships with the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and Gulf countries while managing disagreements among BRICS members.
Response to the United States-Iran conflict
Supporters and Advocates
Iran is urging India to use its relationships with different parties to encourage dialogue and oppose further military escalation.
Critics and Internal Tensions
The conflict highlights differences within BRICS, especially because members have varied interests and India also has important energy, trade and strategic ties beyond the bloc.
- Host
- India
- Summit dates
- September 12–13, 2026
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- India’s BRICS theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- BRICS membership
- 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates
- Global population share
- About 49% of the world’s population
- Global economic share
- About 39% of global GDP and 23% of international trade