New Delhi, August 30, 2026 — New Delhi is preparing to host one of the year’s most closely watched diplomatic gatherings as India gets ready for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13.
The summit comes at an important moment for global diplomacy. India is holding the BRICS chairmanship for 2026 under the theme *Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on practical cooperation rather than declarations alone. More than 350 BRICS-related meetings and high-level engagements have already taken place across more than 25 Indian cities during the year. [Akashvani News]
The expected participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping has added another layer of international attention. If the visit goes ahead, it would be Xi’s first trip to India in seven years and could provide an important opportunity for New Delhi and Beijing to manage their differences while keeping wider BRICS cooperation on track.
India is also pushing economic priorities including stronger supply chains, greater cooperation in technology and innovation, support for startups and expanded trade among member countries. A proposed framework for BRICS supply-chain cooperation is among the expected outcomes of the summit.
The gathering will therefore be about more than a meeting of emerging economies. With global trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts and changing economic alliances reshaping international relations, New Delhi will have an opportunity to position BRICS as a platform for cooperation while maintaining India's own strategic balance.
As world leaders prepare to arrive in Delhi, the September summit could become an important test of India's ability to bring together countries with very different interests under one common economic and diplomatic platform.
Disclaimer: Expected participation and possible diplomatic outcomes mentioned in this report may change before the summit. Confirmed decisions should be based on official announcements.
The summit comes at an important moment for global diplomacy. India is holding the BRICS chairmanship for 2026 under the theme *Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on practical cooperation rather than declarations alone. More than 350 BRICS-related meetings and high-level engagements have already taken place across more than 25 Indian cities during the year. [Akashvani News]
The expected participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping has added another layer of international attention. If the visit goes ahead, it would be Xi’s first trip to India in seven years and could provide an important opportunity for New Delhi and Beijing to manage their differences while keeping wider BRICS cooperation on track.
India is also pushing economic priorities including stronger supply chains, greater cooperation in technology and innovation, support for startups and expanded trade among member countries. A proposed framework for BRICS supply-chain cooperation is among the expected outcomes of the summit.
The gathering will therefore be about more than a meeting of emerging economies. With global trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts and changing economic alliances reshaping international relations, New Delhi will have an opportunity to position BRICS as a platform for cooperation while maintaining India's own strategic balance.
As world leaders prepare to arrive in Delhi, the September summit could become an important test of India's ability to bring together countries with very different interests under one common economic and diplomatic platform.
Disclaimer: Expected participation and possible diplomatic outcomes mentioned in this report may change before the summit. Confirmed decisions should be based on official announcements.