India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, bringing together leaders from major emerging economies at a time of growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The summit is being held under India BRICS chairship, with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
The two-day summit at Bharat Mandapam will focus on strengthening cooperation among BRICS nations and addressing major global challenges. Discussions are expected to cover food and energy security, healthcare, disaster resilience, trade, investment, technology and critical supply chains. The summit will conclude with the New Delhi Declaration, outlining areas of future cooperation.
The expanded BRICS grouping now includes 11 countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Together, these countries account for nearly half of the world population and a significant share of global economic activity.
The summit is also attracting attention because of key diplomatic meetings expected on the sidelines. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the major leaders attending, while discussions involving India, China and Russia could have wider implications for global diplomacy and trade. With India seeking greater cooperation across the Global South, the 2026 BRICS Summit is expected to be an important test of the bloc ability to find common ground on economic, technological and geopolitical issues.
