New Delhi is set to host the highly anticipated BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing strong confidence that the gathering will foster positive and meaningful discussions aimed at global welfare.
Putin's Significant Arrival
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on September 11, where he was welcomed by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh at Palam Air Force Station. This marks a notable diplomatic moment, as it is Putin's first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
President Putin, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi at 3:30 PM local time on September 11. These talks are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across various sectors and addressing the prevailing geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
Summit Focus and Geopolitical Context
The two-day BRICS Summit is poised to address critical global challenges, with discussions centered on enhancing collective resilience in areas such as food security, energy stability, disaster reduction, and the robustness of critical supply chains. The summit convenes against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, including recent developments in West Asia.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi shared his optimism, stating, "In the next few days, leaders from around the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. We are confident that the summit will lead to positive and meaningful discussions on various issues, with a view to world welfare." He also shared a Sanskrit verse emphasizing the importance of good company and positive engagement.
Distinguished Attendees
Beyond the bilateral engagements, the BRICS Summit will see the participation of numerous world leaders and international dignitaries. Expected attendees include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.
Key figures from global institutions are also slated to attend, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff. The collective presence underscores the summit's aim to foster broad international cooperation and dialogue on pressing global issues.