Full Breakdown
Modi’s Diplomatic Marathon at the 2026 BRICS Summit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Fifteen Bilateral Meetings on the Summit’s Sidelines
From September 11-13, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 15 bilateral meetings with heads of state while the 18th BRICS Summit took place in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship. Leaders from Russia, China, Iran, several African nations, Southeast Asian countries, the Gulf and others discussed defence, trade, energy, technology, critical minerals, connectivity and regional security.
Background & Context
The expanded grouping now includes 11 members—Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE—representing roughly half the world’s population and 40 % of global GDP. The summit gave New Delhi a platform to advance its push for a greater Global South role in multilateral institutions.
Timeline of Key Bilateral Encounters
- September 11 – Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; talks covered the India-Russia strategic partnership, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a plan to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
- September 12 – Meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on trade, border stability, defence cooperation and supply-chain resilience.
- September 13 – Sessions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye broadened India’s outreach to Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
Data & Statistics
- 15 formal bilateral meetings over three days.
- Leaders from 11 countries.
- Trade target discussed: $100 billion with Russia by 2030.
- BRICS accounts for ?49.5 % of global population and ?40 % of global GDP.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi called for the Global South to shift from “rule-taker” to “rule-shaper” in international decision-making, aligning with the summit’s agenda of multilateral reform. He noted that “India has been at the forefront of this demand.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged reforms of the UN and Bretton Woods institutions to reflect contemporary economic, demographic and geopolitical realities.
Why It Matters / Impact
The bilateral marathon allowed India to cement ties with major powers such as Russia and China while deepening relationships with emerging economies across Africa, Central and Southeast Asia. Coupled with a public push for UN Security Council reform, New Delhi positioned itself as a leading voice for the Global South, seeking greater representation in global governance structures. The outcomes are expected to influence trade flows, defence cooperation and India’s diplomatic leverage in multilateral forums throughout its chairmanship.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Countries represented at this Summit speak to that changing reality.” — António Guterres
- “India has been at the forefront of this demand,” — António Guterres
What's Next
The summit’s final declaration reiterated support from China and Russia for India and Brazil to assume a larger role in the United Nations, including the Security Council. Follow-up diplomatic engagements are anticipated as India pursues the $100 billion trade target and advances its reform agenda in multilateral institutions.