Full Breakdown
India’s BRICS Summit 2026: A Test of Multialignment Amid Global Crises
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – India Hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit
On September 12-13 2026, New Delhi will host the 18th BRICS summit, bringing together the heads of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and the newer members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived on September 11, while Chinese President Xi Jinping is slated to appear on September 12, his first visit to India since 2019. The agenda is expected to focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, energy security, and greater use of national currencies in trade.
Background & Context – India’s “America Plus” Strategy and BRICS Expansion
India’s foreign-policy framework, described by analyst Raja Mohan as an “America Plus” approach, seeks to retain deep economic and security ties with the United States while expanding cooperation with Russia and China. The bloc’s membership has grown from five to eleven full members, broadening its Global South representation and amplifying internal divergences, especially over the Iran-UAE dispute and the Ukraine war.
Data & Statistics – Trade, Energy and Membership Figures
- Russia supplied 51 % of India’s crude imports in July 2026, the highest share on record.
- India reports a trade deficit with China exceeding $112 billion.
- BRICS now accounts for roughly 40 % of global GDP (PPP) and about 44 % of world oil production.
- Sources differ on the exact count of full members: some list 11, others 10 plus partner states.
Criticism & Opposition – Internal BRICS Tensions Highlighted
Harsh V. Pant, vice-president for Studies and Foreign Policy at the Observer Research Foundation, said the expansion “looks like a big constraint on BRICS.” Shilan Shah of Capital Economics added that “the war in Iran will provide a stern test of the (expanded) group’s cohesion.” These remarks underscore the difficulty of forging a unified statement when members such as Iran and the UAE hold opposing positions on the Middle-East war.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Membership Count and Outcome Expectations
While most sources agree the summit will involve eleven full members, a few outlets describe the bloc as having ten full members plus partner countries, creating a minor discrepancy. Expectations for concrete outcomes vary: some analysts anticipate limited agreements, whereas Indian officials project progress on trade, monetary cooperation and agricultural policy. No final joint declaration has been released ahead of the summit, leaving the precise language on the Iran-UAE dispute unresolved.
What’s Next – Bilateral Meetings and Follow-Up Initiatives
- September 11 – Modi-Putin talks on energy, defence and critical minerals.
- September 12 – Modi-Xi meeting on border confidence-building and economic engagement.
- September 12 – Modi-Pezeshkian discussion on the Iran war, Strait of Hormuz security and non-dollar trade mechanisms.
The Delhi summit will therefore serve as a litmus test for India’s multialignment: its ability to steer a heterogeneous bloc toward functional cooperation while navigating the geopolitical fault lines of the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.
