Tea, hugs, handshakes: Unseen clips of PM Modi interacting with world leaders at BRICS Summit

The recently concluded BRICS summit in New Delhi saw a host of world leaders gathered at one place, interacting, hugging, and sharing smiles over the last two days. While the official portraits and photographs captured at the summit are carefully curated, discussions are held at designated slots and times and diplomacy takes over at such global events, much more goes behind the scenes where the world leaders let loose and greet each other with warmth and share several candid moments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen sitting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as they seemingly sip tea together while engaged in a conversation. (Handout)One such video from the summit has surfaced, showing leaders from across the world coming together and interacting with each other in unseen clips from Bharat Mandapam.

In the video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen sitting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as all three of them seemingly sip tea together while engaged in a conversation. In another clip of the montage, Modi is seen interacting with United Nations general secretary António Guterres, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus along with other dignitaries.

He is also seen showing the world leaders around the Summit venue and taking glimpses of cultural elements present there, included a rangoli, paintings and more. Modi and Putin also take an elevator together, with their security entourage standing closely behind them.

Apart from Modi, the world leaders are also seen interacting amongst themselves, sharing smiles, handshakes, hugs, and several candid moments as New Delhi became one the world's most important, sensitive, and seen diplomatic location over the weekend.

As BRICS member countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 on Saturday amid the ongoing summit, the members backed the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council.

The declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, said China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterated their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.

The BRICS leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to reforming the UN Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, with greater representation for developing countries. Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times.

Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.

The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals.

The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources.

Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More