BRICS leaders convene in New Delhi for summit on trade and global stability

Leaders of the BRICS nations gathered in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, 2026, for a summit centered on trade, investment, and the bloc’s evolving role in the global agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the event, which includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and representatives from the other eight member nations.

The summit takes place against a backdrop of significant geopolitical challenges, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, as well as heightened tensions between the United States and China. These issues are testing the bloc’s capacity to maintain unity and find common ground among member states that hold competing geopolitical interests.

Security measures in New Delhi have been significantly increased for the duration of the summit. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed throughout the city, and authorities have implemented various traffic restrictions and diversions to manage the event.

Originally founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, the bloc has since expanded to 11 members. Collectively, these nations represent approximately half of the world’s population and account for a substantial portion of global economic output. The group continues to advocate for increased representation for developing and emerging nations within international institutions.

The summit agenda covers a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation, energy, food security, technology, and the stability of global supply chains. Additionally, leaders are expected to discuss potential reforms to global institutions.

A key priority for the member nations is the reduction of reliance on the U.S. dollar. In pursuit of this goal, the bloc is promoting the increased use of their own national currencies for trade and financial transactions.