Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS Leaders Meet in New Delhi Amid Global Tensions
Leaders from the BRICS group met in New Delhi for an important meeting.
They discussed trade, investment and conflicts around the world.
The group includes countries such as India, Russia, China and Iran.
BRICS wants developing countries to have more influence in global organizations.
The leaders also talked about energy, food, technology and supply chains.
Some members want to use their own currencies more often instead of the U.S. dollar.
India is trying to maintain relationships with Russia and Iran while also building ties with the United States and Europe.
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East make it harder for all the members to agree.
India will try to obtain a joint statement, but BRICS countries have disagreed on similar issues before.
BRICS leaders gathered in New Delhi for talks on trade, investment and global conflicts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted leaders including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Masoud Pezeshkian.
The summit addresses economic cooperation, energy, food security, technology and supply chains.
Members are promoting local currencies and alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions.
India’s effort to secure a joint statement faces challenges from divisions over the Middle East war and relations with the United States.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted leaders of the 11-member BRICS group, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- What
- BRICS leaders held a summit focused on trade, investment, economic cooperation, global conflicts and reforms to international institutions.
- When
- The summit was held on Saturday, with Modi meeting Putin and Pezeshkian separately on Friday beforehand.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The bloc is seeking a larger role for emerging and developing countries while addressing global tensions, economic cooperation and reduced reliance on the U.S. dollar.
Broader Global Role
Unity and Balancing Challenges
BRICS’s international influence
Broader Global Role
BRICS members are seeking greater representation for developing countries in global institutions and a larger role in shaping the global agenda.
Unity and Balancing Challenges
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising United States–China tensions and competing geopolitical interests are testing the bloc’s ability to find common ground.
Financial independence
Broader Global Role
Members are promoting greater use of their own currencies in trade and payments and alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions.
Unity and Balancing Challenges
The summit’s push for reduced reliance on the U.S. dollar comes while India is also seeking deeper economic, defense and technology ties with the United States and other Western countries.
Joint position on conflicts
Broader Global Role
India has called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts while maintaining ties with Russia and Iran.
Unity and Balancing Challenges
Differing positions among members, particularly over the Iran war, previously prevented BRICS foreign ministers from agreeing on a joint statement.
- Host country
- India
- Summit location
- New Delhi
- BRICS membership
- 11 countries
- Main topics
- Trade, investment, energy, food security, technology and supply chains
- Financial priority
- Greater use of members’ own currencies and alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions
- Security measures
- Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, with traffic restrictions and diversions
- Key diplomatic test
- Whether India can secure a joint statement from the leaders