New Delhi: This year India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit, bringing together leaders of member nations against the backdrop of two major conflicts, growing
trade tensions, and deepening geopolitical divisions. India is positioning BRICS 2026 as a platform to address the concerns of the Global South, with food security, energy stability, and resilient supply chains among its key priorities. Russian President Vladimir Putin, 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, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are among the top leaders attending 18th edition of the key summit. The Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating US-Iran conflict in West Asia are expected to figure prominently during the summit. The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint, has also heightened concerns over energy security and supply disruptions.
PM Modi-Putin Bilateral Talks Today, Russia-Ukraine War Likely To Feature:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Putin ahead of the BRICS Summit. The Ukraine conflict and pathway towards peace are expected to be among the key issues discussed. Notably, it is the second meeting between the two leaders in a month. On August 31, PM Modi and the Russian president met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. During that meeting, the Prime Miinister urged the Russian President to move from "endless war to the end of war," calling for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Both leaders are also expected to discuss defence, energy, technology, pharmaceuticals and strengthening ties between the two nations.
PM Modi-Pezeshkian Meet, US War; Hormuz Crisis in Foucs:
Pezeshkian is expected to arrive in New Deli for the Summit today. It will be his first visit to India, and he will be holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Pezeshkian’s visit comes amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. While Iran has weathered the war over the past six months, the prolonged fighting has taken a significant toll. His visit also assumes importance as Iran and the UAE remain divided over the diplomatic wording of the BRICS Delhi Declaration. Both leaders also held bilateral talks during the recently concluded SCO Summit.
India is expected to stress the need for freedom of navigation and protection of civilians and critical infrastructure. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already disrupted global oil supplies, with the strategic waterway handling roughly one-fifth of global petroleum flows.
In his earlier meeting, Pezeshkian had reportedly urged India to use its diplomatic contacts to help move the region away from war and towards dialogue.
PM Modi-Xi Talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit will be closely watched as he makes his first trip to India in seven years, especially after the 2020 Galwan clash. will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising government officials and top business leaders. As per officials, the meeting is slated to take place at 6 pm on Saturday,
Jinping’s meeting with the Prime minister comes after a series of confidence-building measures aimed at repairing ties strained by the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The two leaders are expected to review the situation along the Line of Actual Control and explore greater trade and investment cooperation.
PM Modi’s Meeting With Other Key Leaders:
The Prime Minister is also likely to hold separate bilateral meetings with South African President Ramaphosa Egyptian President Fattah El-Sisi, Indonesia's Subianto, Malaysian PM Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan, and Ethiopian PM Ahmed Ali.
UN Secretary General Antanio Guterres, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will also be attending the summit.
Trade, Supply Chains and Global South Priorities
India's wider BRICS agenda will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, and high technology while addressing vulnerabilities exposed by geopolitical conflicts and trade disputes.
The summit will conclude with the New Delhi Declaration, focusing on finding common ground on wars, energy security, global trade, and the wider concerns of the Global South.
