Full Breakdown
Modi’s Diplomatic Marathon at the 18th BRICS Summit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
From September 11-13 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a three-day diplomatic marathon on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He held 15 bilateral meetings with heads of state—including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Cyril Ramaphosa, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Anwar Ibrahim, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Le Minh Hung, Jessica Alupo, Kashim Shettima, and Antonio Guterres. Topics covered defence, trade, energy, technology, critical minerals and regional security, while plenary sessions focused on the four-pillar theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Background & Context
The grouping, originally five members, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, adding Indonesia in 2025 and bringing membership to eleven. The summit occurred amid heightened geopolitical tension—conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, and supply-chain disruptions—prompting leaders to stress multilateral cooperation.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 11 2026 | Modi met Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian; discussed India-Russia strategic partnership and urged dialogue on West Asia. |
| Sept 12 2026 | Bilateral talks with Xi Jinping, Anwar Ibrahim, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, and Le Minh Hung; focus on border peace, trade and technology. |
| Sept 13 2026 | Meetings with Cyril Ramaphosa, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, Jessica Alupo, Kashim Shettima; adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026. |
Data & Statistics
- 15 bilateral meetings over 3 days.
- 11 BRICS members plus 10 partner countries attended.
- The New Delhi Declaration 2026 was adopted unanimously.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi emphasized that BRICS must move from “ideas and commitments” to concrete outcomes, highlighting the launch of an Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases, Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines for disaster management, a Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, a BRICS Incubator Network, a proposed Startup Innovation Fund, and a Digital Agriculture Network linking AI and geospatial tools with farmers.
The UN Secretary-General congratulated India on its chairmanship, noting the importance of multilateral reform.
Criticism & Opposition
Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that the public was “deeply concerned” that Modi had “effectively surrendered to China,” urging the prime minister to demand China’s withdrawal from Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
Verbatim Quotes
- “BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” — Narendra Modi
- “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” — Narendra Modi
- “The weaponization of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology.” — Narendra Modi
- “For us, this is an opportunity to shape a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economic future for the Global South,” Ramaphosa said.” — Cyril Ramaphosa
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the reason for Xi Jinping’s absence from the gala dinner: one report cites “rest” while another offers no official explanation.
What’s Next
The BRICS chairmanship will rotate to China in 2027, with the 19th summit scheduled there. Modi called for “time-bound actions” to implement the New Delhi Declaration, indicating the next year’s agenda will focus on operationalising the announced frameworks.