Col Alok Mathur, SM (Retd)
As the sun gradually disappeared in crimson western horizon on 13 September 2026,’ Flying Kremlin’, IL 96 -300PU of the Russian President took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi for Moscow, it marked the successful and safe conclusion of the 18th edition of the BRICS Summit. After a few hours, Boeing 747-8 I of Air China carrying the Chinese head of state also departed for Beijing, followed by aircrafts of other member nations.
The 18th BRICS summit was held on 11 – 13 September 2026 at New Delhi. India welcomed delegates from 11 member nations, 10 Partner countries and international organisations. The venue for the event was the beautiful Conch Shell shaped Bharat Mandapam located at Pragati Maidan. New Delhi was wearing a beautiful bridal look while being converted to an invincible fort with multi-level security rings with Black Cat Commandos covering all points from ground as well as Air threats.
PM Narendra Modi took over the chairmanship on 1 January 2026 and was the chief host of the mega event of Global South nations. India had been Chairman of BRIC earlier also in 2012. 2016 and 2021. This was the fourth time India has been honoured with the Presidentship of BRICS. The main theme of the summit was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
The journey of BRICS forum is 20 years long. if we peep back in time, BRIC group was initiated in 2006 for upliftment and development of the Global South nations. The founder nations who formalised the structure and mission of the organisation were Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). The first formal summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia on 16 June 2009. It the first meeting, freedom of navigation, supply Chains, trade promotion, Free trade among members and geo political issues were discussed. The second meeting was held in Brasilia, Brazil in 2010 during which South Africa was added as the Fifth member. It became BRICS now. The third forum was held in Sanya, China in 2011. The fourth meeting was at New Delhi in 2012 under PM Manmohan Singh, the fifth meet was at Durban, South Africa. In 2013. The sixth BRICS conference was at Brazil in 2014. The seventh was at Ufa in Russia in 2015; The eight meet was held on 15-16 October 2016 at Goa, India under PM Narendra Modi. The ninth summit was held in Xiamen, China under President Xin Jin Ping in 2017. The tenth summit was held at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018. Brazil hosted 11th summit in 2019, Russia was the venue for 12th summit in 2020 at Saint Petersburg, Due to Covid pandemic. India held the 13th summit in virtual mode in 2021. Beijing was the venue for 14th Summit in China in 2022. The 15th summit was held at South Africa in 2023. The 16th Summit was hosted by Russia at Kazan again in 2024. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the venue for 17th Summit in 2025 and now New Delhi is the venue of 18th Summit.
Five new members namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, United Arab Emirates were added in 2021. Saudi Arabia joined in 2022. The total permanent members as on date are 11 countries. The core group also approved 10 partner nations also to be invited for the New Delhi summit in early 2026. The partner nations who have been invited are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. There are also special invitees for the forum to include Foreign Minister of Bahrain, President of Burundi, President of Philippines, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister of Uruguay.
Moreover. Antonio Guterres United Nations General Secretary, WHO Head Tedros Ghebreyesus, WTO Chief Ngozi Okonoso, Dilma Rousseff, President Asian Development Bank and Zou Jiayi, President Asian Infrastructure Development bank were also invited as Guest of Honour.
India officially assumed presidency on 1 January 2026 from Brazil and began preparations for the 18th Summit. Bharat Mandapam was selected as the main venue of summit as it was used for G 20 summit in 2023 also and was appreciated by all invitees and member nations. It has a Plenary conference hall which can accommodate 7000 delegates The govt of India launched official Web site on 13 Jan 2026 and selected the theme and Logo of multi–Coloured Lotus for the summit.
Schedule of Events
BRICS Business Forum Phase 1 (11 September 2026) – The forum was held at 1100 h on 11 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. It had limited attendance of member countries. It was attended by Government teams, Business delegations, financial institutions, Start-up delegates, BRICS business council and BRICS women alliance members from core and partner nations. The forum was welcomed by Indian Industry and commerce minister Piyush Goel . He stated that the Global South would have to get together and find solutions to the global crisis.
PM Modi said thst BRICS is a formidable group accounting for 50% of the World population, 40% of global GDP and 27% of the World trade. It is expanding for good of the entire globe with 4 in 2009 and now 21 in 2026 (11 permanent members and 10 Partner nations).
Bharat Innovation Exposition – Phase 2 – All delegates visited the exhibition of new start-ups organised by the Ministry of Education with MEA. It showcased 37 Indian deep technology start-ups and new ventures by students, Research bodies, institutions and young entrepreneurs intended to connect with local and global corporates and develop international partnership.
Main Leaders’ Summit – Phase 1 (12 September 2026) – The session began with arrival and welcome of all member countries by PM Narendra Modi one by one. A closed plenary session for permanent member countries head of state/representatives was held. All leaders addressed the chair one by one. Pm Modi gave the closing address and ended the session. It was followed by a visit to Bharat Innovation Exposition by all primary leaders followed by Lunch. Later, Family photograph session and ceremony of plantation drive. A formal Dinner was hosted by PM of India at Bharat Mandapam main hall for BRICS leaders and delegates.
Open leaders’ Summit Phase 1 (13 September 2026) – Plenary session by all members, invitees and international organisation heads. Information regarding New Delhi Declaration given to forum and adopted by the house. Visit to Bharat Exposition and family photograph and closing ceremony and declaring the next venue and president ship to People Republic of China.
New Delhi declaration of BRICS Summit 2026 – The text of the document which had 45 pages text, was unanimously accepted by the forum on 12 Sep 2026. It had carefully worded 140 paragraphs. It could be possible with mid night consultation and language redrafting of the text under Foreign Minister and his team of Ministry of External Affair, who pacified all nation involved in West Asia conflict (Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia). The Key points of “ New Delhi Declaration” are as under
- Terrorism -The entire forum strongly condemned all forms of Terrorism including Cross border terrorism, Terror funding and calling for Zero tolerance and accountability. All members strongly condemned terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir and offered tributes to Victims.
- Conflict Resolution – The declaration advocated Conflict prevention through diplomacy and Dialogue while strongly rejected Unilateral acts of War and aggression and growing nuclear threat and risk. This is not era of War and mutually solve with interaction.
- Global Governance – It stressed on Structural reforms and update of Multilateral global institutions especially United Nations Security Council and Financial Bodies like World Bank and IMF. Global South must be given a stronger representation. BRICS nation should develop own UPI network and agree to trade in local currency of both nations.
- Trade and Tariffs – The forum expressed concern over imposition of unilateral high tariffs and non- tariff barriers and sanctions on few countries by developed nations as per violations of WTO agreements and rules. Global South nations should not be targeted. The focus should be on Free Trade.
- Maritime Safety and Freedom of Navigation– The resolution included safeguarding of Logistics supply chain, Safety of Maritime commercial shipping, and protection of Seafarers. This in reference to attacks on commercial Oil tankers / Ocean liners Persian Gulf and now in Red Sea.
- Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability will be the four strong pillars among the BRICS fraternity and support each other in crisis.
Bilateral Interactions
PM Modi had 15 bilateral meetings with Russia, China, Iran; UAE, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Burundi, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Brazil, Egypt and South Africa. There were various meetings between member nations especially Iran and UAE that were described as cordial and beneficial.
PM Narendra Modi in his address to the BRICS Business forum highlighted that the 18th Summit is the largest forum so far in the 20 years’ journey of BRICS. He said that since the group represents 50 percent of the Global population and 23% of the world trade it must adopt growth with stability. He further said that India is developing strong infrastructure by building Express ways, high speed Rail network and new Airports for better connectivity; we have initiated 2 lakhs new start- ups and promoting make in India initiative and make for the world; India has almost 80% digital payment through UPI and we wish to link with other members; We are promoting MSMEs portals; we have made Free trade agreement with almost 40 Countries of the World.
PM Modi predicted that India will soon be a global solutions hub and stressed again that Global trade will only prosper if we have freedom of Navigation, secured Sea lanes, supply routes open, and safety of Commercial Ships and Seafarers. He also appreciated and welcomed 200 Women CEOs participating in the forum, a great achievement for BRICS.
On 12 September 2026, while finally addressing the forum of Permanent members as the New Delhi Declaration was circulated, PM Modi strongly advocated that this was not the era for War; mutual dialogue and diplomacy should be adopted for conflict resolution.; there should be reforms in UNSC and global south representation to be enhanced in UN and International financial bodies.
He further stressed that Global governance reforms should be based on multilateralism; the pyramid structure of the World order needs to be changed and humanity based collective response to be followed; the Global South must rise from Global taker to Global Shaper status. PM Modi finally warned against weaponisation of critical minerals and advocated inclusivity of Technology.
All heads including President Valdimir Putin and President Xi Jin Ping also addressed the august forum. PM finally declared that the, “New Delhi Declaration has been unanimously adopted.” He thanked all delegates for participation and cooperation. He released two postage stamps to commemorate the grand occasion.
The Indian prime minister also congratulated President XI Jin Ping for being nominated as new president of BRICS in a harmonious ambience and bid emotional farewell to all delegates. He amply announced to the world that BRICS is not a military alliance and not against any country or region. We believe in humanity and peace,
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