Leaders and representatives from BRICS member and partner countries will gather in New Delhi for the two-day summit
The BRICS summit comes to New Delhi this weekend, bringing leaders from the expanded group of major emerging economies together for two days of talks.
India will host the September 12-13 meeting at Bharat Mandapam, the convention center that hosted the Group of 20 (G20) summit in 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in India this weekend for the summit, along with other heads of state and government of the group of emerging economies.
The agenda is broad but straightforward: trade and development, technology, energy and food security, reform of global institutions, and closer cooperation among BRICS members. The leaders will also exchange views on major global and regional issues.
India has framed its 2026 chairmanship around ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, under a broader ‘Humanity First’ approach.
This is India’s fourth time chairing BRICS, after 2012, 2016, and 2021. It also comes as the group marks 20 years since its establishment.
Which countries are in BRICS now?
The BRICS grouping has grown considerably from its original five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It now also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. BRICS has emerged as a major grouping because of its economic weight and population size.
Together, they now account for nearly half of the world’s population, around 40% of global GDP, and 26% of international trade, according to Indian government data.
The group’s growth comes at a time when the ability of groupings such as the G7 and G20 to influence the world economy is waning amid narrow geopolitical agendas and attempts at economic coercion.
Who is attending the BRICS summit in India?
The gathering is expected to bring together leaders of the Global South who also have the ability to set the direction of the global economy – individually and collectively.
Host country India has recorded strong economic growth this year, the fastest among major economies, reflecting well on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending, the Kremlin has confirmed. Modi and Putin are also slated to hold talks in New Delhi on the sidelines of the summit, with bilateral ties and international issues expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday. The ministry said it “sets great store by BRICS cooperation” and supports India in hosting a successful summit. Some reports suggest that Xi will arrive with a 400-member delegation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he will attend. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are among the other leaders expected in New Delhi, with Modi and Pezeshkian also scheduled to meet.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will not travel to New Delhi and is expected to be represented by a senior government official. Bangladesh, which was invited by New Delhi, has said it will not send a representative.
Leaders and representatives from other BRICS members, partner countries, and outreach invitees will also take part.
What will BRICS leaders discuss in New Delhi?
India has divided its presidential agenda into four broad areas.
‘Resilience’ covers issues that directly affect economies and households – health, agriculture, food and energy security, disaster preparedness, and supply chains.
‘Innovation’ covers startups, small businesses, science and technology, digital public infrastructure, and AI. ‘Cooperation’ includes development and reform of global governance institutions.
‘Sustainability’ covers renewable energy, climate action, and adaptation.
Trade, investment, and financial cooperation will also feature, along with efforts to give developing and emerging economies a greater voice in international institutions.
Current global developments will form part of the discussions as well. The Indian Foreign Ministry said the leaders will share perspectives on “global and regional matters of mutual importance.”
A packed schedule focused on inclusive global growth
Saturday is primarily for the group’s full members. Leaders will first meet behind closed doors for a session on ‘Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism’.
They will later visit the ‘Bharat Innovates’ exhibition, followed by a group photo, tree-planting ceremony, and a dinner hosted by Modi. The table gets wider on Sunday, when leaders from BRICS partner countries and outreach invitees join the summit.
The main session will focus on ‘Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth’. The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, setting out the positions and priorities agreed on by the group.
