President Putin arrived in the national capital tonight for the BRICS Summit 2026. During his visit, he will also hold talks with PM Narendra Modi and have a series of bilateral meetings.
President Putin arrived in the national capital tonight for the BRICS Summit 2026. During his visit, he will also hold talks with PM Narendra Modi and have a series of bilateral meetings.
Vasudev Ravi, OSD, PR, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told ANI that a large number of journalists from both India and other BRICS countries are expected to be present at Bharat Mandapam.
"As with any Summit, we are organising an International Media Centre within the Bharat Mandapam Complex. We expect somewhere between 1200-1300 journalists to be there in a ratio of about 50:50. We expect a large number of journalists from member countries of BRICS and partner & invitee countries to join as well at the International Media Centre. Our challenge remains to disseminate information to the best of our abilities," he said.
Delhi Police has deployed a multi-layered security plan involving around 15,000 personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces for the BRICS Summit.
Delhi is on high alert with tight security and temporary traffic curbs as India hosts top world leaders for the BRICS Summit at the Bharat Mandapam over the weekend.
Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid said that the relationship between Russia and India cannot be reduced to buying low cost fuel.
"Russia has been a time-tested friend. We can't just reduce it to low-cost fuel that we buy from them. We are now supplying petrol back to them because they are in need of petrol, etc... Even our European partners know this... when they decide how to approach India about this whole issue of the European conflict... we feel that there is much more that India could have done, and India has received the right response from Russia and Ukraine about putting an end to this conflict as well as in the West Asian conflict," he said.
PM Modi through his X handle shared a message about the upcoming BRICS summit saying that the conference "will feature positive and meaningful discussions on various issues, with aspirations for global welfare."
Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro arrives in Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit 2026
The national capital has been decked up with colourful posters and banners for the 18th BRICS Summit. Visuals from Teen Murti and South Avenue The BRICS Summit will be hosted at Bharat Mandapam from 12th to 13th September 2026, bringing world leaders together for two days of high-level dialogue and cooperation. 11 member countries and 10 partner countries are going to participate in this summit.
The MEA spokesperson extended a welcome to Zou Jiayi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the BRICS summit.
The visit will strengthen partnerships to advance sustainable development and expand opportunities for emerging economies, he said in his X post.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised P Chidarambam's remarks on the BRICS summit.
"In opposing the BJP, they seem to be criticising India itself, which is why they fail to recognise India’s achievements at BRICS. Today, countries around the world recognise India as a global leader and look towards it as a source of hope and a potential mediator amid conflicts and global challenges," he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit. He is received by Union MoS Jayant Singh South Africa holds Member Country status in BRICS
BRICS Summit 2026 commences with BRICS Business Forum; EAM Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal among the speakers
"It is a privilege to have the business and government leaders from across the BRICS with us today. India's BRICS Chairmanship under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been built around four priorities: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. These are important priorities for the government, but they are equally relevant for business," he said.
Vice President of Uganda Jessica Alupo receives Guard of Honour at the airport in New Delhi.
Delhi Metro train services will begin at 6 am on all corridors on Sunday to facilitate the movement of students appearing for examinations and commuters amid traffic restrictions for the BRICS Summit, the DMRC said on Friday. Normally, services on the Pink, Magenta and Grey lines begin at 7 am on Sundays.
Ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026, North-West District Police intensified foot patrolling, vehicle checking and surveillance at strategic locations across the district.
Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, EAM S Jaishankar emphasised the role of India in the next phase of BRICS.
"India brings a large and growing market, expanding manufacturing capabilities, deeper pools of talent, digital experience and a dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial base. As our leaders prepare to meet, the most useful contribution of this forum would be to bring a clear business perspective to the next phase of BRICS," he said.
"I'd like to say that the BRICS summit and the Indian chairship this year are set for success. India has managed its chairship in the format very ably, very successfully, have done hundreds of meetings at the ministerial level. We have moved forward on various tracks and projects that were proposed by previous chairs and by us in 2024 when we presided over BRICS...India has also proposed its own initiatives, like smart grids, energy storage, startup innovation hub, incubator network, logistics supply chain framework, and many more. It's safe to say already that the chairship of India this year has become a huge success, and the summit will confirm that," Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said a few days before the summit.
Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said BRICS strength lies in cooperation, calling for resilient supply chains, shared prosperity and a balanced global economy.
He said Russia remains open to business, joint investment projects and initiatives among member countries as partners.
Dereje Walelign Mera, Co-Chair of the BRICS Business Council Ethiopian Chapter, said the council aims to align policies and certifications to remove hurdles and barriers. He said this would make business easier across BRICS member countries and support economic growth.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India's growing market, expanding manufacturing capabilities, talent pool, digital experience and innovation base. He said the BRICS Business Forum's key contribution should be bringing a clear business perspective to the grouping's next phase.
Yu Lu, Vice President of the China Chamber of Commerce, said agricultural exports and imports among BRICS countries grew 20% year-on-year until July. He said the visit by China's President would boost bilateral trade and expressed confidence in China-India trade.
BJP MP Ajit Gopchade praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit, saying 11 nations coming together would transform India and the world. He said Modi's leadership would bring peace and prosperity and deliver the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Delhi has tightened security ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival for the BRICS Summit. Hotels have been fortified, security layered, route rehearsals conducted and traffic curbs imposed. Xi will arrive on September 12 and head to the Taj Hotel.
Russian official Alina Singh Doskanova called the proposed 105-plane deal a major opportunity for India-Russia collaboration, saying it could bring joint technology, products and skilled jobs. She said the emerging economic sector would benefit businesses and people in both countries.
Lt Gen (Retd) KJS Dhillon called the 2026 BRICS Summit important amid the ongoing Gulf War, energy and market pressures and emerging global alignments. He said Russia, China and India are major players, while India follows a multi-aligned foreign policy.
Russian official Alina Singh Doskanova said producing the SJ-100 aircraft would be a major challenge, with each aircraft potentially taking a year to build. She said Russian engineers and Indian managers would work together to establish the production line.
Nirmal K Minda, President of ASSOCHAM, said BRICS countries have ample opportunities ahead and should utilise the individual strengths of each member country to strengthen cooperation.
Sberbank CEO Herman Gref said financial services between Russia and India are becoming normal, with the bank supporting businesses in both countries. He said Sberbank wants to expand its India operations and establish a business centre in New Delhi.
BJP MP Sambit Patra accused the Congress and opposition of spreading negativity about the BRICS Summit. He contrasted India's position in 2011–12 with its current standing, saying the country had secured a stronger position on the global stage.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian departed for India to attend the BRICS Summit 2026, the Embassy of Iran in India said. The summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from September 12 to 13.
Purana Dawar, Chairman of the Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry, said the sector was excited about the BRICS Summit. He said its key interests were trade, employment opportunities for youth and investments.
Colonel Rohit Dev (Retd), Managing Director and Founder of Reveille Energy told ANI, "The energy sector is at the centre of BRICS INDIA theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'."
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar meets Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
Anant Swarup, Secretary General, FICCI, told ANI, "We had opened a portal where any one business could have requested a meeting with another business. In a short span of 4-5 hours, we have had 600-plus meetings happening here. So that shows the opportunity, the excitement, the business, not only in India but also in all those from the BRICS countries present here. BRICS provides an opportunity for governments to listen to what the industry's concerns are in promoting greater BRICS."
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday urged BRICS member countries to link their payment systems, encourage trade in local currencies, and make digital trade more accessible globally.
Dr Majid Ghassemi, Chair, BRICS Business Council, Iran, urged BRICS to invest in shared transport and logistics networks while simultaneously working on mutual recognition of electronic transport documents.
She posted on X, Delhi extends a warm welcome to the leaders, delegates and distinguished guests arriving for BRICS. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Bharat has brought greater confidence, balance and purpose to global engagement, with dialogue, trust and shared progress at its core. For Delhi, hosting BRICS is a moment of honour and pride. We welcome our guests to experience a capital shaped by centuries of history, enriched by many cultures and guided by the timeless Indian spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
"South Africa and India hold each other in high regards. In terms of opportunities, there are a lot of Indian companies that are fully invested in South Africa. South African companies also have a strong view on investment in India. So, we believe that the two countries actually play a good role in terms of unlocking those historical ties...It's a very successful partnership with a lot of room for growth and both economies can complement each other very well," South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and Chairman of the BRICS Trade and Investment Working Group, Mtho Xulu said.
Delhi’s traders are preparing to welcome BRICS delegates and their families on September 12 and 13, with CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal saying there is considerable enthusiasm among traders. CTI wants foreign guests to visit historic markets such as Chandni Chowk and Khan Market to experience Delhi’s food, shopping and cultural heritage. The traders’ body has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and hired around 50 traders and social media influencers fluent in English, Chinese and other foreign languages to work as guides and translators.
PTI
BRICS countries can strengthen trade in local currencies and facilitate cross-border investments by deepening financial markets, strengthening banking linkages and putting in place robust risk-management mechanisms, experts said on Friday.
They also called for linking fast-payment platforms and exploring interoperability among Central Bank Digital Currencies to make cross-border transactions faster, cheaper and more secure. Deloitte Partner Anil Talreja also called for reducing non-tariff barriers through harmonised standards, mutual recognition of certifications, simplified customs procedures and greater regulatory transparency.
ASSOCHAM President Nirmal Kumar Minda said the next phase should focus on deeper trade and investment through greater trust, transparency and business-to-business partnerships.
PTI
Liu Zhenying, Chairman of the BRICS Business Council Skills Development, Applied Technology and Innovation Working Group, says its work includes the standardisation and training of human resources and technology innovation. He said China, India and other BRICS countries have made progress through this work, with nearly 300,000 participants each year.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets Uruguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Lubetkin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he is likely to attend a dinner hosted during the BRICS Summit in Delhi on Saturday and would meet Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai as the state seeks greater participation from major corporate groups. He also said he would attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Adani Group’s proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town on September 24. Adhikari said the government is also pursuing a defence project at Junput, has completed the Rs 6,000-crore Haldia Petrochemicals expansion and will soon hand over land to 33 companies for projects in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tentative schedule for September 11 includes meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin at 3:30 pm, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at 6:15 pm and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at 6:45 pm. The meetings for Putin and Pezeshkian are listed for Bharat Mandapam.
Maria Ghali, Country Representative for Egypt, says BRICS has created enough of a knowledge base and database to develop strategies that could lead to trading and investment opportunities. She said B2B meetings, panels and networking through the BRICS organisation have created a successful business environment.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is his first visit to India as president and comes amid a sudden spike in overall tensions in West Asia. Before leaving for New Delhi, Pezeshkian said, “The new BRICS bank was created to free countries from reliance on the dollar and to stand against America's push for dominance.” He is scheduled to meet Modi for bilateral talks on Friday evening.
Ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China on Friday said both countries should handle their differences properly and view bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China will “step up communication and enhance cooperation to properly handle differences” and work with India to be “friends enjoying good neighbourliness and partners helping each other”. Xi is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday and meet Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto among the prominent leaders scheduled to attend. Xi, Putin and Ramaphosa are scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Pezeshkian and El-Sisi are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with him. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Modi. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, other participants include Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo, Nigeria Vice President Kashim Shettima, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
JK Paper Chairman and Managing Director and International Chamber of Commerce Chairman Harsh Pati Singhania says India has a pivotal role to play in BRICS as the fastest-growing large economy and an original member of the grouping. He said BRICS has expanded to include more nations, including those in observer status, and expressed hope that leaders attending the summit will find solutions to support the growth of business, trade and the economy amid greater global uncertainty.
Delhi Traffic Police announced diversions and restrictions from 2 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday due to VIP and VVIP movements linked to the BRICS Summit 2026. More than 35 roads will be affected, with diversions at 22 points across the city. Commuters heading to airports, railway stations and ISBTs have been advised to allow extra travel time and use public transport. The Metro will remain fully operational, while emergency and medical vehicles will get obstruction-free passage. Non-destined commercial vehicles will be prohibited from entering Delhi, and motorists have been advised against parking within 200 metres of controlled roads.
BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on Friday discussed practical solutions for efficient cross-border payments, including interoperability of payment and messaging channels and greater use of local currencies for trade settlements and investment. In a joint statement, they encouraged the BRICS Payment Task Force to continue work on cross-border payment solutions that are fast, low-cost, accessible, efficient, transparent and safe. The statement also called for reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions, backed a stronger role for the New Development Bank and welcomed progress on the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative.
BJP Telangana spokesperson NV Subhash described India hosting the 18th BRICS Summit as “a feather in the cap” for the country. He said the summit, centred on innovation, sustainability, resilience and cooperation, will bring together key global leaders, including Russian and Chinese leadership. Subhash also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global leadership, saying the gathering would showcase a strong force for global development.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived at Bharat Mandapam, where he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026. Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, an ancient Tamil classic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Friday for wide-ranging bilateral talks. Discussions are expected to cover trade, defence, energy, critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation. The leaders are also likely to discuss BrahMos upgrades, S-400 deliveries, Su-57 jets and the Ukraine conflict.
New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit 2026.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit 2026.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said hosting the BRICS Summit is a unique achievement for India. He said BRICS has a “historical responsibility” amid global crises, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed confidence that India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would advance peace and prosperity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Friday. The two leaders reviewed progress in political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people cooperation.
They also visited the INNOPROM India exhibition and discussed ways to expand trade and industrial ties. Modi and Putin exchanged views on BRICS under India’s 2026 chairship and regional and global issues, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
Modi reiterated India’s support for dialogue and diplomacy. Putin invited Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, which he accepted.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the BRICS Business Forum is the largest ever, with over 2,000 business leaders and delegates attending. He said discussions focused on non-tariff barriers, global value chains, agriculture, services trade, women-led enterprises and the digital economy. The BRICS Business Council also submitted 44 recommendations.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said merchandise exports from BRICS countries rose from around $900 billion in 2003 to nearly $6 trillion in 2024. He said the bloc’s share of global exports also increased from about 12% to nearly 24%, calling for stronger intra-BRICS trade and resilient supply chains.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in New Delhi on Saturday for the BRICS Summit, marking his first India visit in nearly seven years. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it will be their third consecutive annual meeting.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said BRICS members now account for 40% of global economic output. He highlighted the growing economic weight of the Global South and said the bloc’s expansion has strengthened its role as a platform connecting dynamic economies. Vieira called for closer productive cooperation amid rising protectionism, economic coercion and unilateral sanctions.
At Leaders' Session of BRICS Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "Right now, the world is undergoing structural, deep, profound shifts. It is explained by the fact that the so-called old leaders which used to be the vanguard of economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, are being replaced by new engines of growth. When I say old, this is just a formality - all of us understand what we are talking about. These so-called old leaders are still in possession of great strong suits and well-developed infrastructure, technological advantages, scientific advantages, scientific schools and so on and so forth. That's sad, this isn't the nature of things. This isn't the nature of humanity and the nature of economy. The world is always changing".
At Leaders' Session of BRICS Business Forum, PM Narendra Modi says, "Today, BRICS nations represent 50% of the world's population, 40% of its GDP, and over 25% of global trade. Moreover, while global GDP has grown approximately two-and-a-half-fold over these years, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has expanded nearly four-and-a-half-fold. In other words, the economic strength of BRICS has grown at nearly twice the pace of the rest of the world. BRICS nations are also emerging as key hubs for global innovation and solutions. New possibilities for innovation, spanning everything from grassroots initiatives to frontier technologies, are taking shape within our countries. The growing scale, speed, and optimism of BRICS are clearly evident among us. This forum, hosted in India, is the largest BRICS Business Forum to date."
"Global trade progress is possible only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe. That is why India is a staunch supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers," PM Modi said at Leaders' Session of BRICS Business Forum
At Leaders' Session of BRICS Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "Over the last 5 years, more than 40% of the world's GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries, where the contribution of the so-called G7, the Great 7 - I don't know why they call that - stands at only 29%. Speaking about the growth of the world economy over the same period, we see that more than half of that growth has been accounted for by BRICS, whereas the G7 has only accounted for 18%. Why is that? The answer is simple, BRICS countries account for more than half of the world's population and that is why, they have a great dynamic, vibrant, domestic markets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, arrives in India for the BRICS Summit 2026. MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh received him at the airport.