Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Wars and Tariffs Test BRICS Unity at Delhi Summit
BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi for two days.
The group includes 11 large emerging economies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others.
They will discuss how countries can manage wars, tariffs and problems with supplies.
India wants the group to focus on food, energy and supply-chain security.
Leaders will also discuss trade, technology and investment.
Iran and the United Arab Emirates reportedly disagree about how to describe the West Asia crisis.
The summit will end with a document called the New Delhi Declaration.
This document is expected to explain how BRICS countries will work together.
BRICS leaders including Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are gathering in New Delhi for a two-day summit.
India’s 2026 chairship is prioritising food, energy, health, technology and supply-chain security for the Global South.
Leaders are expected to discuss trade, investment, connectivity, economic resilience and reforms to global governance institutions.
BRICS now comprises 11 major emerging economies, representing about 49.5% of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP.
The summit will conclude with the New Delhi Declaration, although disagreements over the wording of a joint statement remain.
- Who
- BRICS leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of member, partner and invited countries, are attending.
- What
- They are holding a two-day summit to discuss economic resilience, trade, energy, supply chains, technology, global governance and geopolitical crises.
- When
- The summit is being held in 2026, beginning on Saturday and continuing through Sunday; India assumed the BRICS chairship on January 1, 2026.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The meeting is intended to help developing economies respond to wars, trade and tariff pressures, energy concerns, supply disruptions and other global economic challenges.
Iran’s Reported Position
United Arab Emirates’ Reported Position
Language on the West Asia crisis
Iran’s Reported Position
Iran has reportedly pushed for an explicit condemnation of United States-Israel military actions.
United Arab Emirates’ Reported Position
The United Arab Emirates reportedly wants the statement to emphasise freedom of navigation across critical maritime routes.
Prospects for consensus
Iran’s Reported Position
Iran’s preferred wording could make agreement on a joint statement more difficult.
United Arab Emirates’ Reported Position
The UAE’s position reflects a focus on maintaining maritime access, creating a potential difference with Iran within the consensus-based grouping.
- Host country
- India, which holds the BRICS chairship in 2026
- Summit length
- Two days
- Main venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- BRICS membership
- 11 major emerging economies
- Global representation
- About 49.5% of the global population, around 40% of global GDP and around 26% of global trade
- India’s chairship theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- Expected outcome
- The New Delhi Declaration
