NEW DELHI: World leaders and diplomatic delegations from across the globe have assembled at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam convention center in New Delhi as India officially hosts the 18th BRICS Summit. Held under India’s 2026 chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the two-day high-profile gathering marks a pivotal moment for the expanded economic bloc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the summit proceedings by welcoming key global figures, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit serves as a crucial platform for both multilateral multilateral discussions and crucial side-line bilateral meetings.

A central focus of the summit is diplomatic engagement surrounding escalating geopolitical conflicts, particularly the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi held direct bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue, de-escalation, and safeguarding regional security. High-level discussions are also aimed at shaping the joint “Delhi Declaration,” which will lay down the bloc’s vision on global security, economic governance, and energy resilience.

The summit also holds significant diplomatic weight regarding India-China relations. President Xi Jinping’s visit to New Delhi—his first trip to India in seven years—presents a vital opportunity for both nations to review border stabilization along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and explore paths toward normalizing bilateral trade and diplomatic ties.