Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, opening the door for a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi).
The summit comes at a time when tensions in West Asia continue to shape global diplomacy. Differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the regional conflict are also expected to feature prominently during discussions, according to people familiar with the preparations.
PM Modi likely to hold bilateral meetings
The presence of Xi, Putin and Pezeshkian is expected to provide India with an opportunity to hold separate bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the summit. The meetings could focus on regional security, economic cooperation and strategic ties, people aware of the developments said.
Xi Jinping’s visit could mark first India trip since 2019
If Xi travels to New Delhi, it will be his first visit to India since the informal summit with PM Modi at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu in October 2019.
Relations between India and China deteriorated sharply months later following the military standoff in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Since then, both countries have taken diplomatic steps to improve engagement.
Modi and Xi met in Kazan in October 2024 after an understanding was reached to end the military standoff on the LAC. They also held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin last August.
BRICS Summit theme and West Asia focus
India is hosting the BRICS Summit after a gap of five years. This year’s theme is “Building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.”
The West Asia conflict is expected to dominate discussions, particularly as Iran and the UAE, both of which joined the grouping during its expansion in January 2024, continue to hold differing positions on the issue.
People familiar with the matter said that, barring the UAE, BRICS members have resisted any attempt to dilute references to the Palestine issue and the two-state solution in official documents.
Iran expected to discuss regional situation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s participation is expected to give Tehran an opportunity to brief the Indian leadership on the ongoing West Asia crisis while also exploring ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
India-Iran relations have faced challenges since US sanctions halted Indian imports of Iranian oil in May 2019. The sanctions also affected New Delhi’s participation in the development of the Chabahar port.
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Reportedly, India will also have to navigate differences between Iran and the UAE, which remain on opposite sides of the conflict triggered by Israel and the US’s attacks on Iran in February.
Previous BRICS meetings saw no consensus
Recent BRICS engagements have reflected divisions over the West Asia situation. Several meetings, including the foreign ministers’ meeting in May, concluded without a consensus outcome document because of differences among member states.
India has also invited leaders from several non-BRICS countries to the summit. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been invited as Bangladesh currently chairs BIMSTEC.
FAQs:
When is the BRICS Summit 2026 being held in India?
The BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
Why is Xi Jinping’s possible India visit significant?
If confirmed, it will be Xi Jinping’s first visit to India since 2019, making it a key moment in India-China diplomatic engagement.
