PM Modi to host leaders for 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi

The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. The BRICS Summit will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting world leaders for a packed two-day programme, with closed-door deliberations, an innovation exhibition, a family photo, a joint tree plantation and a gala dinner lined up on the first day. 

The BRICS is a group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It expanded to 11 members with the inclusion of Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ethiopia in 2024, and Indonesia in 2025.

India assumed the role of Chair of BRICS on January 1, 2026. Previously, India held this role in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

CONFIRMED LEADERS ATTENDING BRICS SUMMIT

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he will attend the summit. Xi Jinping, President, China has also confirmed his decision to attend the event. Meanwhile, Russian President, Vladimir Putin has already arrived in the city for the summit.

The other confirmed leaders attending the summit are - Masoud Pezeshkian — President, Iran; Abdel Fattah el-Sisi — President, Egypt; Abiy Ahmed — Prime Minister, Ethiopia; Prabowo Subianto — President, Indonesia; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, UAE and Mauro Vieira — Foreign minister, Brazil.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to attend.

Meanwhile, leaders from partner countries and outreach invitees will join the summit programme on Sunday, September 13.

Before the main two-day event, PM Modi is set to address the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday, September 11. Top business leaders from China, Russia, Brazil, the UAE and other BRICS countries are expected to attend.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and external affairs minister S Jaishankar are expected to address the opening session. The discussions will cover agriculture, trade, investment, supply chains and the digital economy. The meetings will later lead into a leaders’ session, which is expected to be addressed by Modi.

CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS INDIA

A large Chinese business delegation is visiting India ahead of the BRICS Summit. Among the prominent Chinese business leaders expected are Houliang Dai, chairman of CNPC; Lin Liao, chairman of ICBC; and Min Wan, chairman of China COSCO Shipping Corporation. Senior executives from Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group are also expected to attend. The Chinese delegation is expected to discuss trade, investment, technology and supply chains with Indian and other BRICS businesses.

Ahead of the summit, Delhi International Airport Ltd has already put in place measures to handle an expected increase in international passenger and flight traffic.