BRICS 2026 in New Delhi: who will attend and what leaders will discuss

# Overview India will host the BRICS leaders' summit on September 12-13, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This is India's fourth time chairing BRICS (previously in 2012, 2016 and 2021) and comes as the group marks 20 years since it was founded. New Delhi frames its 2026 presidency around "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" with a broader "Humanity First" approach.

# Who is in BRICS now

# Who is expected in New Delhi

• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as host.

• South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend.
• Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected and will meet Modi.
• Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto is expected.
• Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will not travel and is expected to send a senior official instead.

Bangladesh, though invited, has declined to send a representative. Other member states and partner nations will be represented by their leaders or senior officials.

# What's on the agenda India organized its presidential agenda into four broad pillars:

• Resilience: health, agriculture, food and energy security, disaster preparedness, and supply chains.
• Innovation: startups, small businesses, science and technology, digital public infrastructure, and AI.
• Cooperation: development and reform of global governance institutions and strengthening multilateralism.
• Sustainability: renewable energy, climate action, and adaptation.

Trade, investment, and financial cooperation are also priority items. Indian briefing materials say leaders will exchange views on global and regional matters of mutual importance, and will consider mechanisms that give developing and emerging economies a larger voice in international institutions.

# Summit format and schedule highlights The first day is oriented toward full BRICS members. Leaders will meet in a closed-door session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism," and will visit the "Bharat Innovates" exhibition showcasing the innovation pillar. The second day will include a wider meeting of members, partner countries, and outreach invitees, with public-facing sessions and bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

# Context and stakes Coverage frames the expanded BRICS as a grouping with growing economic weight and population size. Indian reporting contrasts BRICS' collective agenda with what it describes as narrowing agendas among Western groupings, arguing the summit offers a platform for trade, development, and institutional reform that reflects the interests of the Global South.

# Practical implications to watch

• Whether leaders agree concrete steps on trade, payments, or financial mechanisms that reduce reliance on dominant currencies.
• Outcomes on technology cooperation and digital infrastructure projects under the innovation pillar.
• Any joint statements or coordinated positions on current regional conflicts or global issues, given the diversity of member positions.

Leaders' bilateral meetings on the sidelines, especially between India, Russia and China, will attract close attention for their diplomatic and economic signals.