Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi Welcomes BRICS Leaders Before Rameswaram Temple Backdrop
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed leaders at a BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
The meeting took place at Bharat Mandapam.
A large picture of the Ramanathaswamy Temple was placed behind the leaders.
The temple is in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Modi explained why the temple is important to Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders.
The temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is also connected with the Ramayana and ideas of spiritual purification.
The summit brings together leaders from BRICS members, partner countries and invited countries.
India’s theme for the meeting is about resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed global leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Tamil Nadu’s 12th-century Ramanathaswamy Temple featured as the ceremony’s visual backdrop.
Modi explained the temple’s significance to Chinese President Xi Jinping and other visiting leaders.
Leaders including Vladimir Putin, Prabowo Subianto and Cyril Ramaphosa attended the welcome ceremony.
The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13 under India’s resilience-focused theme.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed leaders including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Prabowo Subianto, Cyril Ramaphosa, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- What
- The welcome ceremony for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit featured Ramanathaswamy Temple as its backdrop and cultural centerpiece.
- When
- Saturday, September 12; the summit is scheduled for September 12-13.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with the featured temple located in Rameswaram on Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The backdrop highlighted India’s civilisational history, cultural heritage and the temple’s religious significance.
- Event
- 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit
- Host country
- India
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Dates
- September 12-13
- Temple featured
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
- Temple significance
- A revered Hindu pilgrimage site and one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva
- India’s BRICS theme
- “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
