BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi: Leaders, Dignitaries and Key Issues

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BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi: Leaders, Dignitaries and Key Issues

BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi: Leaders, Dignitaries and Key Issues

Introduction

• Summit Details: The 18th BRICS Summit is being hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. The main programme of the summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam. India is holding the BRICS chairship for the fourth time, with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The expanded BRICS now has 11 member countries and represents about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
• Global Importance: The summit brings together some of the world’s major developing and emerging economies. It gives these countries an important platform to discuss economic cooperation, global governance, development, sustainability and different issues affecting the Global South.

Narendra Modi – India

• Host Leader: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the summit as India holds the BRICS chair in 2026. His leadership puts India at the centre of discussions about the future direction of BRICS and the priorities of the expanded group.
• Indian Priorities: India’s main priorities include economic cooperation, innovation, sustainability, stronger and safer supply chains, and greater representation for the Global South. These areas are expected to be important parts of the discussions during the summit.
• Bilateral Meetings: Modi is also expected to hold important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, especially with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi Jinping – China

• Chinese President: Chinese President Xi Jinping is one of the most closely watched leaders visiting New Delhi. His presence is especially important because China is a major member of BRICS and because India-China relations are important for the future of the group.
• First Visit: His 2026 visit to India is especially important because it is his first visit to the country in seven years. This makes the visit important from the point of view of India-China diplomatic relations.
• Modi Meeting: India and China are arranging a bilateral meeting between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi. Bilateral relations, trade and regional issues are expected to be important topics during their meeting.

Vladimir Putin – Russia

• Russian President: Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending the Delhi summit. Russia is one of the founding members of BRICS and continues to have an important place in the group.
• Strategic Relations: His participation is important for India-Russia relations, especially in areas such as energy, trade and strategic cooperation. These areas continue to be important parts of the long-standing relationship between India and Russia.
• Modi Talks: Putin is also scheduled to have bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi around the summit. The talks will give both countries an opportunity to discuss important matters concerning their two countries as well as wider international issues.

Masoud Pezeshkian – Iran

• Iranian President: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is attending the summit. Iran’s participation is important because it shows the growing geographical and economic reach of the expanded BRICS group.
• West Asia Conflict: Iran’s participation is especially important because of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The conflict has created differences among BRICS members and has become an important challenge for the group.
• Sensitive Relations: Relations between Iran and the UAE are a sensitive issue at the summit. Because of this, reaching an agreement on the wording of a joint declaration may become more difficult for the BRICS countries.

Cyril Ramaphosa – South Africa

• South African President: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is among the major BRICS leaders expected to be in Delhi. South Africa is an important member of BRICS and represents a strong African presence in the group.
• Original Member: South Africa remains one of the original BRICS members after the group expanded beyond Brazil, Russia, India and China. Its continued participation shows how BRICS has grown from its original four-member structure into a much larger group.
• African Dimension: His participation strengthens the African side of BRICS cooperation. It also shows the growing importance of African countries and their concerns within the wider Global South.

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi – Egypt

• Egyptian President: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is also expected to attend the summit. Egypt became a BRICS member during the 2024 expansion of the group.
• New Member: Egypt’s participation shows that BRICS has continued to grow beyond its original members. It also reflects the increasing role of developing countries in the group.
• Regional Representation: Egypt’s participation gives BRICS stronger representation from Africa and the wider Arab world. This adds another important regional voice to the discussions taking place at the summit.

Prabowo Subianto – Indonesia

• Indonesian President: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will represent Indonesia at the summit. Indonesia is one of the important emerging economies of the world and has a major role in Southeast Asia.
• BRICS Membership: Indonesia joined BRICS in 2025 and became the group’s first full member from Southeast Asia. Its entry was another major step in the geographical expansion of BRICS.
• Indo-Pacific Role: Indonesia’s presence highlights the growing role of BRICS in the Indo-Pacific and the wider Global South. It also strengthens the connection between BRICS and Southeast Asian countries.

Abiy Ahmed – Ethiopia

• Ethiopian Leader: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is among the leaders attending the summit. Ethiopia is one of the African countries that joined BRICS during the 2024 expansion.
• African Membership: Ethiopia’s participation gives greater importance to the African presence in BRICS. It also shows the growing role of developing African economies within the expanded group.
• Global South: Ethiopia’s presence also supports BRICS’ wider aim of giving greater representation and a stronger voice to countries of the Global South in international affairs.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – UAE

• UAE Representative: The UAE is being represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His participation represents the UAE at the high-level summit being held in Delhi.
• Regional Tensions: The UAE’s participation is especially important because of its current tensions with Iran. The relationship between Iran and the UAE is therefore an important issue that leaders have to consider during the summit.
• Consensus Challenge: Finding wording that is acceptable to both Iran and the UAE is considered one of the diplomatic challenges facing the summit. This could be particularly important when the BRICS countries try to prepare and agree on a joint declaration.

Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud – Saudi Arabia

• Foreign Minister: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is attending the Delhi meeting. His participation means that Saudi Arabia is represented at the foreign-minister level at the summit.
• Membership Position: Saudi Arabia’s position in BRICS is somewhat unusual. Although it is listed among the countries of the expanded group, it has not fully accepted formal membership in the same way as the other new members.
• Level Representation: Because of this position, Saudi Arabia is represented at the summit by its foreign minister rather than by its head of state. This makes its participation different from that of several other BRICS countries.

Brazil – No Lula at the Delhi Summit

• Brazilian Absence: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is not attending the 2026 Delhi summit. His absence is notable because Brazil is one of the founding members of BRICS.
• Earlier Visit: According to reports, Lula had already visited India earlier in 2026 for the AI summit. Because of this, he will not be personally present at the Delhi BRICS Summit.
• Continued Participation: Brazil nevertheless remains one of the founding BRICS members and continues to take part in the group’s institutional activities. Its absence of the president does not mean that Brazil has left or stopped participating in BRICS.

Antonio Guterres – United Nations

• UN Secretary-General: UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also among the important international figures associated with the Delhi summit. His presence gives the meeting a wider international and diplomatic importance.
• Global Issues: His participation adds importance to discussions about global governance, peace, development and international cooperation. These issues are closely connected with the wider aims of BRICS and its member countries.
• Multilateral Dimension: The involvement of the United Nations leadership also shows the importance of cooperation between major emerging economies and international organisations. It gives the summit a wider multilateral dimension beyond the BRICS countries themselves.

Other Dignitaries and Delegations

• Wider Participation: The summit brings together leaders, ministers, senior officials and representatives from around 30 BRICS member and partner countries. Heads of international organisations and business representatives are also taking part in the wider summit activities.
• Country Representation: Reports indicate that representatives from 32 countries and agencies are involved in the wider summit process. This shows the large level of diplomatic and institutional participation connected with the Delhi summit.
• Major Proposals: Major proposals being discussed include a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, BRICS Incubator Network and Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework. These proposals aim to improve innovation, support new businesses and strengthen economic and supply-chain cooperation among participating countries.

Major Issues Before the Summit

• West Asia: The situation in West Asia and the Iran conflict are among the major issues before the summit. The conflict has created differences among BRICS members and could make it difficult for the countries to agree on the wording of their joint declaration.
• Ukraine War: The Russia-Ukraine war is another major international issue that is expected to influence discussions among BRICS leaders. This is especially important because BRICS countries have different views and positions regarding the conflict.
• Economic Security: Food and energy security, stronger global supply chains, and trade and investment cooperation are important economic issues expected to be discussed at the summit. These issues are directly connected with the economic security and development of BRICS countries.
• Digital Payments: Digital payments and cross-border transactions are also important areas of discussion. BRICS countries are looking at ways to make financial transactions between member countries easier, faster and more efficient.
• Climate Action: Climate change and sustainability are important parts of India’s BRICS agenda, along with technology and innovation. These issues aim to connect economic growth and development with long-term environmental protection and sustainability.
• Global Institutions: Greater representation of developing countries in global institutions is another major issue. India has repeatedly stressed the need for stronger representation of the Global South in international decision-making bodies.
• Digital Currency: India is also promoting greater interoperability among central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The aim is to make cross-border payments faster and more efficient between participating countries.

Important Questions

1. When and where is the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 being held?
2. What is the theme of the BRICS Summit 2026?
3. Which major leaders are expected to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi?
4. Why is the meeting between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping considered significant?
5. What are the major international and economic issues expected to be discussed at the BRICS Summit 2026?

Conclusion

The BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi is much more than a meeting of emerging economies. With 11 member countries, nearly half of the world’s population and about 40% of global GDP, BRICS has become an important platform for the Global South.

The presence of Modi, Xi Jinping, Putin, Pezeshkian, Ramaphosa, el-Sisi, Prabowo and other senior leaders makes the Delhi summit particularly significant. At the same time, differences over the Iran conflict, UAE-Iran relations and the wider geopolitical situation will test BRICS’ ability to reach consensus. The summit’s success will therefore depend not only on the number of influential dignitaries attending, but also on whether the expanded group can translate its growing economic and political influence into practical cooperation.

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