Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi Hosts Expanded BRICS Summit With Global Leaders
India is hosting an important meeting called the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The meeting is taking place on September 12 and 13, 2026.
Leaders from countries including China, Russia, Iran and South Africa are attending.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting some of these leaders separately.
The BRICS group now has 11 core member countries.
Other partner countries and the United Nations are also represented.
Leaders will discuss trade, economic cooperation, development and global rules.
They may also discuss conflicts and problems involving energy and international trade.
Because the countries do not always agree, reaching common decisions could be difficult.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are attending.
The expanded BRICS grouping includes 11 core members, alongside partner countries and international representatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held bilateral talks with Putin, Pezeshkian and Ramaphosa, with further meetings scheduled.
The summit will address global governance, economic cooperation, trade, development and issues affecting the Global South amid geopolitical tensions.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting leaders from the 11-member BRICS grouping, partner countries and international organisations, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian and Cyril Ramaphosa.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit and related bilateral diplomatic meetings are being held.
- When
- September 12 and 13, 2026.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- India is using the summit to discuss global governance, economic cooperation and Global South concerns while pursuing bilateral priorities with visiting leaders.
Diplomatic Opportunity
Consensus Challenge
India’s strategic role
Diplomatic Opportunity
The summit gives India a platform to engage major powers and Global South countries while presenting itself as a diplomatic bridge between competing blocs.
Consensus Challenge
The expanded grouping includes countries with differing positions on conflicts, trade and energy, making agreement more difficult.
India-China engagement
Diplomatic Opportunity
Xi Jinping’s visit offers Modi an opportunity to maintain dialogue and seek greater stability in bilateral relations.
Consensus Challenge
The meeting carries unresolved sensitivities because India-China ties have remained strained since the 2020 border tensions.
BRICS cooperation
Diplomatic Opportunity
The summit can advance cooperation on global governance, trade, development, connectivity, investment and energy.
Consensus Challenge
Divergent national interests and geopolitical conflicts could limit the group’s ability to build consensus.
- Host country
- India
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Dates
- September 12–13, 2026
- Core membership
- 11 countries: India, China, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Saudi Arabia
- Key attendees
- Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian and Cyril Ramaphosa
- Additional representation
- Partner and outreach countries, as well as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres