New Delhi: India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12–13, bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping amid geopolitical conflicts, energy disruptions, trade tensions and growing concerns over global supply-chain resilience. Hosted by India under its 2026 chairship, the two-day summit at Bharat Mandapam will focus on building resilience, strengthening multilateralism, boosting intra-BRICS trade and investment, securing critical supply chains and expanding cooperation across technology, health, food and energy security.
India’s chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a stated emphasis on a people-centric approach rooted in the principle of “humanity first”.
Here is the agenda, schedule, expected list of world leaders and anticipated outcomes from the Summit under India’s leadership for Global South prosperity:
The discussions assume significance against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the continuing West Asia crisis, concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security, safety of seafarers & commercial vessels and disruptions affecting global energy and supply networks.
Strengthening economic cooperation will form another major pillar of the summit. India has placed greater intra-BRICS trade and investment, connectivity and high-technology cooperation at the centre of its chairship agenda.
The economic discussions come as countries seek to diversify supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities arising from geopolitical tensions and concentration of critical manufacturing and resources.
The first major closed-door session on September 12, Saturday will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
BRICS leaders will exchange views on strengthening multilateral institutions and making global governance more representative and inclusive. The issue assumes importance as emerging economies push for a greater role in shaping international economic and political institutions.
Leaders will also discuss major global and regional developments and areas of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The summit’s principal open session on September 13, Sunday will be held under the theme:
“Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”
The session will bring together leaders from BRICS member countries, partner nations and outreach invitees to deliberate on the future direction of cooperation and inclusive global growth.
The summit will culminate with the release of the New Delhi Declaration, although the consensus-driven nature of BRICS means that differences among members could make negotiations over a joint document significant.
BRICS partner and outreach countries presence
Before the leaders’ summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on September 11.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to address the opening session. Discussions will focus on agriculture, trade, investment, supply chains and the digital economy.
A major Chinese business delegation is expected to participate, with prominent representatives from sectors including energy, banking, shipping and technology. Senior executives from companies such as Huawei and Alibaba are also expected.
Business leaders from other BRICS nations are expected to include representatives from Embraer, Vale, Naspers, Russian Railways and Sberbank, reflecting the wide economic footprint of the grouping.
Originally formed as BRIC by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2006, the grouping held its first leaders’ summit in Yekaterinburg in 2009. South Africa joined in 2011, turning BRIC into BRICS. The bloc expanded significantly in 2024 with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, followed by Indonesia in 2025. It now has 11 full members, alongside partner countries.
India assumed its fourth BRICS chairship on January 1, 2026, having previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. Under the current chairship, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across 25 Indian cities, covering political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
With BRICS representing 49 per cent world’s population and 40 per cent of global GDP, the New Delhi summit is expected to reflect India’s effort to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies while advancing a more resilient, inclusive and representative global order, with Global South at its epicentre.
