BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM Modi hopes for 'positive discussions with aspiration for global welfare' as world leaders gather

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday (September 11, 2026) ahead of the two-day BRICS summit, starting September 12. It will be his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

Mr. Putin is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hours after his arrival, where the two sides are expected to discuss defence and other related matters. Also read | Wars, global crises may top agenda of 18th BRICS summit Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is also scheduled to arrive later in the day for the summit being held against the backdrop of a global crisis in the supply chains of energy and agriculture because of wars in West Asia and Ukraine.

Several heads of multilateral organisations, including the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will also participate. Also read | UN chief to stress multipolarity, UNSC reforms at BRICS Summit in India The External Affairs Ministry has confirmed that, apart from President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are among the top leaders who are expected to reach Delhi for the summit that is being held against the backdrop of a global crisis in the supply chains of energy and agriculture because of wars in West Asia and Ukraine.

Delhi Metro train services will begin at 6 a.m. on all corridors on Sunday (September 13, 2026) to facilitate the movement of students appearing for examinations and commuters amid traffic restrictions for the BRICS Summit, the DMRC said.

Normally, services on the Pink, Magenta and Grey lines begin at 7 a.m. on Sundays. Students and other passengers have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly in view of the traffic restrictions in parts of the city during the summit, it added.

Trade data shows that merchandise exports by BRICS countries made up about one-fourth of all global exports in 2024. Intra-BRICS trade surges, prompting discussions on cross-border payments and reducing U.S. dollar reliance at the upcoming summit.

The Delhi police have deployed around 15,000 personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces as part of a multi-layered security arrangement for the BRICS Summit, with at least 16 heads of state or government and their delegations expected in the city over the next three days.

Security has been stepped up at summit venues, hotels, historical sites and VVIP routes, with additional personnel deployed at Delhi’s borders. Delhi enhances security for the BRICS Summit with 15,000 police and 200 paramilitary personnel, ensuring safety for global leaders.

As world leaders begin to arrive in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (September 11, 2026) said there is full confidence that the upcoming BRICS Summit will feature “positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with aspirations for global welfare”.

China announced on Thursday (September 10, 2026) that President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, on what will be his first visit to India in almost seven years. China's Xi Jinping to visit India for the first time in seven years to discuss trade and normalization at the BRICS Summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (September 11, 2026) began a three-day visit to India to participate in the BRICS summit and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand bilateral trade, investment and energy cooperation.