New Delhi is preparing to welcome world leaders and senior representatives for the 18th BRICS Summit, placing India at the centre of major discussions on diplomacy, economic cooperation and the changing global order.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit on 12 and 13 September, bringing together leaders from across the expanded BRICS bloc at a time of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Among the prominent attendees expected in New Delhi are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is expected to represent the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud will represent Saudi Arabia. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to attend.

President Xi’s attendance will be closely watched, marking his first visit to India in seven years and creating an opportunity for high-level engagement between the two Asian powers.

India’s BRICS presidency is being guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, technology, sustainable development, resilient supply chains and reforms to global institutions.

The summit will also provide a platform for participating countries to address the priorities of the Global South and strengthen cooperation between emerging economies.

BRICS has grown considerably since it was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Its expansion has increased the grouping’s economic and diplomatic influence while bringing a wider range of regional perspectives to the negotiating table.

With Prime Minister Modi as host, attention will be firmly focused on New Delhi as some of the world’s most influential leaders discuss shared challenges and opportunities.

The outcomes of BRICS 2026 could help shape international cooperation, global governance and economic relations in the years ahead.

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pictured alongside key world leaders expected to attend the BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi