The 18th BRICS Summit is taking place in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, with India hosting the grouping for the fourth time. World leaders and representatives from BRICS member and partner countries are gathering in the capital as discussions begin on issues ranging from economic cooperation and trade to sustainable development and global affairs.

India's 2026 BRICS chairship is centred on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with “Humanity First” as its broader vision.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi for his three-day visit, ahead of the main BRICS Leaders' Summit.

Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with trade, investment, energy cooperation and defence ties expected to feature prominently. Defence cooperation remains an important part of the India-Russia relationship, with discussions around military-technical cooperation taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine war and international sanctions on Russia.

Putin is also expected to participate in the BRICS Business Forum, adding an economic and business dimension to his visit.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Zou Jiayi has also arrived in the Indian capital for the summit.

Her participation highlights the importance of infrastructure financing and sustainable development for emerging economies. Cooperation around development finance, climate-related investment and infrastructure is among the broader issues being discussed during India's BRICS chairship.

The summit brings together leaders at a time of significant changes in the global economy and geopolitical landscape.

Key areas on the agenda include:

The discussions are particularly significant as 2026 marks 20 years since the formation of BRICS.

The arrival of global leaders has led to extensive security arrangements and traffic restrictions across parts of New Delhi.

Several roads and routes around key diplomatic and summit locations are being regulated, while government offices and educational institutions in Delhi have also been affected by the arrangements.

The 18th BRICS Summit comes at an important moment for the grouping as it enters its third decade. With the bloc expanding its engagement with partner countries and emerging economies, the New Delhi meeting provides an opportunity to discuss how BRICS can strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, finance, technology, infrastructure and sustainable development.

For India, the summit is also an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic priorities and role in shaping discussions involving major emerging economies.

The focus now remains on the discussions taking place in New Delhi and the outcomes that will emerge once the summit concludes.