BRICS Leaders Convene in New Delhi on September 12, Navigating Internal Divisions Over Regional Conflicts

BRICS leaders gathered in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, 2026, to discuss trade, investment, and global governance, with the bloc's ability to maintain unity tested by the Middle East conflict, the Ukraine war, and US-China tensions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the summit, which included Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, among leaders representing the 11-member group. BRICS, founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China and joined by South Africa in 2010, now represents about half the world's population and a significant share of global economic output, according to NPR's reporting.

The leaders faced extensive security measures. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the summit venue and other parts of New Delhi, with traffic restrictions and diversions in place, per NPR.

The agenda centered on economic cooperation, energy, food security, technology, supply chains and reforms to global institutions. A particular focus was reducing reliance on the US dollar, with members promoting greater use of their own currencies in trade and payments, according to NPR's coverage.

The bloc issued a joint statement expressing concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and condemning the use of sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council, per PBS NewsHour and Associated Press reporting. The statement voiced concern over "deliberate attacks" on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under UN atomic energy agency safeguards, and stated: "We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter."

Modi opened the summit with a call for the Global South to evolve into a "rule-shaper" in global governance. According to PBS NewsHour and Associated Press reporting, Modi said "BRICS is not against anyone" and that the bloc had reached a "coming of age" moment. Modi also proposed a BRICS seafarers' network to strengthen the safety and welfare of maritime workers.

Putin called for expanding the UN Security Council to give greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America. According to PBS NewsHour and Associated Press reporting, Putin said the shift toward a multipolar world was facing resistance from countries "accustomed to thinking in colonial categories," accusing them of using tariffs, sanctions and "brute force" to contain rising competitors. Putin also stressed that Russia still viewed the UN Charter as the foundation of international law.

On Friday, ahead of the summit, Putin told the BRICS Business Forum: "We are in favor of our interests." Pezeshkian told reporters the same day: "One of the most important steps is to expand the use of national currencies in trade among the members." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday that Xi was expected to discuss major international issues and ways to deepen cooperation among BRICS members, per NPR.

According to PBS NewsHour and Associated Press reporting, Xi told the summit that China would work with BRICS members in playing its "due role" to forge peace in the Middle East, per Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Xi also said BRICS countries should "serve as vanguards for maintaining peace and stability" and "oppose violations of other countries' sovereignty."

Modi met Putin and Pezeshkian separately in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the summit, and Modi and Xi were expected to hold talks later Saturday, according to NPR.

The summit came after BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement in May over the Iran war, forcing India to issue a chair's summary instead. The Iran war was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, according to NPR's reporting.