The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 Day 1 Day 2 proceedings in New Delhi brought together leaders from member states, partner countries, and international organisations for two days of high-stakes diplomacy at Bharat Mandapam, running September 12–13, 2026.
Day 1: Bilaterals, a Historic Handshake, and a Gala Snub
Day One centered on the marquee Modi-Xi meeting, Xi Jinping’s first visit to India in nearly seven years. Xi and Modi reached consensus that China and India should be “partners, not rivals,” pointing to record bilateral trade and resumed institutional exchanges. Xi later skipped Modi’s vegetarian gala dinner at Bharat Mandapam, with sources saying he returned to his hotel to rest — Vladimir Putin and senior Indian ministers attended in his place.
The day also featured Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali’s bilateral with Modi on defence and critical minerals, and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim’s busy schedule, which included talks with Modi on trade, semiconductors, and infrastructure, plus meetings with Abiy, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, and Putin. Leaders also gathered for the traditional summit family photo following the New Delhi Declaration’s adoption.
Day 2: Modi’s Address and a Wave of Bilaterals
Day Two opened with Modi’s address on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” unveiling initiatives like the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System, a Startup Innovation Fund, and a Digital Agriculture network aimed at benefiting the wider Global South.
The day was packed with bilateral meetings: Modi met Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev on trade and connectivity; Philippine President Marcos on their 2025 Strategic Partnership; Uganda’s VP Alupo on Vision 2040 cooperation; Nigeria’s VP Shettima on strengthening Africa ties; and South Africa’s President Ramaphosa, whom Modi invited to join the International Big Cat Alliance following the India-South Africa cheetah translocation project. Anwar Ibrahim closed his visit with a breakfast meeting with Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi before heading to Kerala. Xi departed for the airport after Session 2, having held only one bilateral during his stay — with Modi.
What It All Adds Up To
Across both days, the summit reinforced BRICS’s expanding footprint new members like Ethiopia integrating further, partner countries like Malaysia and the Philippines deepening bilateral ties with India, and repeated references to Global South solidarity and a more multipolar world order.