India is hosting the 18th summit of the BRICS bloc, a grouping that plays a key role in global political and economic developments. The BRICS Summit-2026 will be held on September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, Delhi, with invitations already sent to member countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the summit, which will be attended by heads of state, foreign representatives, heads of international organisations, and other dignitaries from member states, partner countries, and other invited nations.
There is particular anticipation over whether Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the meeting, more so than with other countries. Hopes have been expressed that their presence would further strengthen the partnership among Russia, China, and India — the leading nations among the bloc’s member states. If both leaders attend, Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold meetings with them; official sources indicate that Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the very first day of the summit.
It has already been announced that the BRICS summit, to be chaired by India, will be held around a four-point agenda: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Climate change is also part of the agenda. India intends to place the priorities of the Global South at the centre of discussions on energy transition, climate resilience, critical minerals, and climate finance.
This year’s BRICS summit will be held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to attend the summit and is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi on September 12. Putin last visited India in December 2025, making this a significant second visit within a year. Modi and Putin met at the SCO summit held in Bishkek on August 31, where Modi personally invited Putin to the BRICS summit. The Chinese president is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Modi on the first day itself. Xi Jinping last visited India in 2019 and has not visited the country in the seven years since. BRICS currently has 11 permanent member countries: 1. Brazil, 2. Russia, 3. India, 4. China, 5. South Africa, 6. Egypt, 7. Ethiopia, 8. Indonesia, 9. Iran, 10. Saudi Arabia, and 11. the United Arab Emirates. Of these, Indonesia joined as a full BRICS member in January 2025, while Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined as full members in 2024.
BRICS Partner Countries
In addition to permanent membership, BRICS also has a separate group known as partner countries. These include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and others. These countries are invited to BRICS meetings only as needed, and are given the opportunity to participate in other meetings as well when there is consensus among BRICS member states.
Leaders Attending the Summit
The BRICS summit will be attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and others. Relevant sources have also indicated that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres may attend the summit.
Agenda for the Summit
As the host nation, India is expected to focus primarily on further strengthening economic cooperation at the summit, with an emphasis on boosting trade among member countries and reducing disruptions in supply chains. Strengthening supply chains amid the geopolitical and political challenges facing global trade is expected to be a key item on India’s agenda. The summit will not be limited to political statements alone, but will also include discussions on trade, technology, energy, health, agriculture, and climate.
BRICS Summit-2026 Schedule
The summit will begin on September 12 with the arrival of leaders from BRICS member countries.
2:00 PM: Leaders of BRICS member countries arrive at Level-2 of Bharat Mandapam, followed by an official photo session.
2:35 PM: A closed-door meeting of BRICS member country leaders will be held in the Summit Hall, focused on the theme “Inclusive Global Governance – Strengthening Multilateralism.”
4:25 PM: Leaders will visit the “Bharat Innovates Exhibition” set up in Hall-14 of Bharat Mandapam, aimed at introducing India’s technological and innovation capabilities to world leaders.
5:05 PM: A family photo session for BRICS member country leaders will be held on the lawns outside Bharat Mandapam.
5:10 PM: All member country leaders will take part in a joint tree-planting programme.
7:30 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for guests on the third floor of Bharat Mandapam.
September 13 – Arrival of Partner Country Leaders
The second day’s proceedings will begin with the arrival of heads of state and government of BRICS partner countries and other invitees.
9:55 AM: Leaders of BRICS partner countries and special invitees arrive at Level-2 of Bharat Mandapam.
10:35 AM: A photo session will be held on the second floor.
10:50 AM: The main plenary session will begin in the Summit Hall, with leaders holding discussions on the theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
Through this session, BRICS countries are expected to articulate their positions on inclusive growth in the global economy, the interests of developing nations, technological innovation, climate change, sustainability, and international cooperation.
Why the 2026 Summit Holds Special Significance
The year 2026 marks two decades since the formation of BRICS. The platform began in 2006 as “BRIC,” comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, before South Africa joined in 2010, turning it into “BRICS.” The first BRICS summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. The share of BRICS countries in the world’s population, economy, and trade has grown significantly since then, positioning the bloc as an important platform for forcefully articulating the interests of developing nations on the international stage.