New Delhi: The 18th BRICS Summit is set to bring several world leaders and senior international officials to India as New Delhi hosts the two-day summit on September 12 and 13, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host leaders from BRICS member states and partner countries at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian Arrives in India
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is arriving in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS Summit. His visit assumes additional significance amid continuing tensions in West Asia. Pezeshkian is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral discussions, with regional developments and India-Iran cooperation expected to feature prominently.
The Iranian president is also expected to participate in the BRICS Business Forum alongside other leaders and business representatives.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres in Delhi
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is also scheduled to participate in the summit. His presence adds significance to discussions on multilateralism, global governance, international conflicts and cooperation among developing nations.
Other international organisations, including the World Trade Organization and World Health Organization, are also represented at the summit.
Modi-Xi Meeting Being Arranged
One of the most closely watched developments is the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that India and China are arranging a meeting between the two leaders. Beijing said it is willing to approach bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective while increasing communication and cooperation and properly managing differences.
Xi is expected to arrive in New Delhi on September 12 for the BRICS Summit. A Modi-Xi meeting could be significant for discussions on bilateral relations, trade, border issues and broader regional cooperation.
Putin and Other World Leaders
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also arrived in India ahead of the summit. Leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the UAE and other BRICS nations are participating, while partner countries and international organisations are also represented.
The expanded BRICS grouping now has 11 member countries and represents roughly half of the world’s population and about 40% of global GDP. India’s 2026 chairship is centred on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit is expected to focus on trade, investment, supply-chain resilience, energy security, global governance and major geopolitical developments