After a packed first day of BRICS 2026 in New Delhi, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers shared a bus ride to Bharat Mandapam for the official gala dinner, offering a rare glimpse of an informal moment among India’s political leadership
NEW DELHI: Informal Journey Offers Rare Glimpse of Leadership After Summit’s First Day. An unusual and lighter moment emerged in New Delhi after the first day of the 18th BRICS Summit 2026, as Union Ministers and Chief Ministers travelled together by bus to Bharat Mandapam for the official BRICS Gala Dinner.
The shared journey came after a packed day of high-level diplomatic activity, summit discussions and official engagements involving Indian leaders and visiting delegations from BRICS member countries.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shared a video of the journey on social media platform X, giving viewers a glimpse of senior political leaders travelling together as they headed towards the evening programme.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the prominent leaders associated with the gathering. The presence of senior representatives from the Union government and different states made the journey a notable human-interest moment during India’s hosting of the international summit.
A Different Side of BRICS Diplomacy
The bus ride presented a sharp contrast to the formal atmosphere inside the summit venue.
Throughout the day, Bharat Mandapam was at the centre of diplomatic activity, with leaders and delegations participating in discussions on international cooperation, economic development, global governance and issues affecting the Global South.
Away from the conference rooms, the shared journey showed senior Indian leaders in a more relaxed setting as they travelled together for the evening event.
Journey Towards Bharat Mandapam
The leaders were travelling to Bharat Mandapam, the principal venue associated with the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, for the official gala dinner.
The dinner provided an opportunity for leaders and visiting dignitaries to interact in a less formal environment after a demanding schedule of meetings and diplomatic engagements.
For India, the evening programme also formed part of its broader diplomatic hospitality as the country hosts the BRICS summit during its 2026 chairship.
Kiren Rijiju’s Video Draws Attention
The video posted by Kiren Rijiju brought public attention to the unusual journey. Rather than showing another formal summit meeting, it captured senior political figures sharing a common ride after completing their official responsibilities for the day.
The scene offered a more personal view of the summit and highlighted the coordination among India’s political leadership during the country’s hosting of a major international event.
Yogi Adityanath Among Prominent Leaders
Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, was among the prominent political figures associated with the bus journey.
The gathering also reflected the participation of senior Union government representatives and leaders from different states as India coordinated arrangements around the BRICS summit.
The shared movement of senior leaders also demonstrated the logistical planning involved in managing a high-profile international programme in the national capital.
From Formal Meetings to Gala Dinner
The first day of BRICS 2026 was marked by an extensive schedule of diplomatic and official engagements. The transition from formal discussions to the gala dinner provided a natural change in atmosphere.
The bus journey became a symbolic bridge between the two settings—moving from the serious business of international diplomacy to an evening focused on hospitality, interaction and cultural engagement.
The Bigger BRICS Picture
The 18th BRICS Summit is being hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026.
India’s chairship has placed emphasis on cooperation, resilience, innovation and sustainable development, while the summit provides a platform for participating countries to discuss economic, political and developmental priorities.
The summit has also attracted global attention because of the participation of major international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other visiting heads of state and government.
Xi’s presence has been particularly significant as his India visit comes after a seven-year gap. His meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit has also added an important India-China diplomatic dimension to the gathering.
Human-Interest Moment at a Global Summit
International summits are usually remembered for major speeches, bilateral meetings and diplomatic agreements. However, informal moments can also become significant images of a major event.
The shared bus ride offered precisely such a moment. It showed India’s senior political leadership travelling together after a demanding day, providing a contrast to the formal protocol surrounding the international summit.
The scene also gave the public a glimpse of the people and coordination behind the official BRICS programme.
GLOBAL TIMES NEWS ANGLE
The bus journey was more than simply a short trip to a dinner venue. It captured the human side of BRICS 2026 at a time when New Delhi was hosting some of the world’s most important emerging economies.
While the summit focused on global cooperation, economic growth, international stability and the future of multilateral engagement, the shared journey of Union Ministers and Chief Ministers offered an informal picture of India’s leadership.
The moment highlighted the contrast at the heart of the summit: serious international diplomacy inside the conference halls, and relaxed political interaction on the journey to the evening gala.
As India continues its BRICS chairship and hosts the second day of the summit, the informal bus ride stands out as one of the memorable human-interest moments from Day One in New Delhi.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026