18th BRICS Summit to be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12–13; Russia, China and other member nations set for high-level engagement
NEW DELHI: GTNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026; New Delhi is preparing for one of the year’s most significant diplomatic gatherings as India hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, 2026.
India is chairing BRICS this year, with the summit bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping amid major shifts in the global economy, international trade and geopolitical relations. The official Indian government information confirms the September 12–13 schedule.
Putin set to arrive, Xi remains the biggest focus
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to reach New Delhi ahead of the summit, with his arrival expected on September 11. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also widely expected to attend, although Beijing’s formal confirmation was still awaited in reporting on September 10.
If Xi makes the visit, it would be his first trip to India in seven years, adding considerable diplomatic importance to the summit and potentially creating an opportunity for another meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
BRICS expands beyond its original five
BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India and China and later included South Africa. The grouping has since expanded and now has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
The enlarged grouping gives BRICS a much wider geographic and economic footprint and has transformed the summit into a major platform for discussions among emerging and developing economies.
What will leaders discuss?
The New Delhi summit is expected to focus on economic cooperation, trade, investment, energy security, technology, supply chains, development and global governance.
The geopolitical environment is also likely to influence discussions, particularly as BRICS members have differing positions on major international crises.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity to push its priorities while balancing relations with major powers, including Russia, China and the United States.
Why Xi’s visit matters
A possible Modi-Xi meeting is attracting particular attention because India-China relations have been undergoing a cautious reset after years of tensions.
Reuters reported that improved diplomatic engagement has been accompanied by some easing of restrictions on business and travel, although significant economic and strategic differences remain.
A direct meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit could therefore become one of the most closely watched developments of the gathering.
Delhi prepares for high-security summit
With several heads of state arriving in the capital, security preparations have been significantly intensified. Indian security agencies are preparing for the movement of foreign leaders and their delegations through the diplomatic areas of New Delhi.
The summit will place India at the centre of global diplomatic attention for two days, as BRICS leaders discuss how the expanded grouping can strengthen cooperation in an increasingly fragmented international order.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026