BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Set to Host Major Global Leaders

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the summit as India’s BRICS Chair. The high-level gathering at Bharat Mandapam will bring together leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on global governance, economic cooperation and emerging geopolitical challenges.

The summit is expected to witness the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, among other international leaders. Xi Jinping’s visit is particularly significant as it marks his return to India for the BRICS summit following years of strained bilateral relations.

Under its 2026 chairship, India has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting its focus on inclusive and people-centric development. More than 350 BRICS-related meetings and high-level engagements have been conducted across over 25 Indian cities during the chairship.

Key areas likely to receive attention include multilateralism, global governance, trade and investment, energy and food security, technology, financial cooperation and regional stability. India is also expected to emphasise practical, development-oriented cooperation among BRICS members and the wider Global South.

The presence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin also provides New Delhi an important diplomatic platform for bilateral discussions alongside the main summit. Against a backdrop of geopolitical conflicts and changing global economic alignments, India’s presidency seeks to strengthen BRICS as a platform for strategic dialogue, economic partnership and collective global action.

The 2026 summit is additionally significant as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment, highlighting the grouping’s expanding role in international affairs.