18th BRICS Summit Begins in New Delhi as Global Powers Await Key Decisions
Mian Nadeem
Published September 12, 2026 | 04:39 PM
Leaders are discussing the global economy, trade, energy, global governance and ongoing wars, along with other major regional and international issues.
NEW DELHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 12th Sep, 2026) The 18th two-day BRICS summit has begun in the Indian capital, New Delhi. According to Indian media, leaders of member countries, including Russia, China and Iran, have arrived in New Delhi to attend the meeting.
BRICS leaders are discussing the global economy, trade, energy, global governance and ongoing wars, as well as other major regional and international issues. The summit will continue until 13th September.
Hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit is being attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders.
The BRICS summit is taking place amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, growing tensions between the United States and China, and global economic uncertainty, all of which have complicated international politics.
The role of the Global South in the international system, reforms in United Nations institutions, trade and investment, energy and food security, technology, and trade in local currencies are central issues at the summit.
At the opening, Prime Minister Modi called for greater representation in global decision-making and reforms in the United Nations and other international institutions. He said the existing global governance structure needs to be aligned with the realities of a changing world.
According to the report, BRICS countries have also agreed on a joint declaration, which is expected to condemn unilateral aggression without naming any specific country. This consensus was viewed as an important diplomatic test for the organization against the backdrop of ongoing Gulf tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
BRICS is no longer limited to its original five countries. Following its expansion, the platform is now viewed as an important collective voice of the Global South. Bringing together diverse political interests within the organization is also a major challenge at the current summit.
Analysts say the key question at the New Delhi summit will be whether BRICS can play a practical role in shaping a more effective multipolar world order rather than remaining merely a platform for economic cooperation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres are also present in New Delhi for the summit. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan will also attend the meeting.
