The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, an unprecedented moment for the gathering of leaders of the enlarged BRICS group in the midst of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

India is set to host the BRICS Summit 2026, which will enable the group to reinforce its partnerships in facing the challenges of the world economy.

The agenda of the BRICS Summit 2026 includes global governance, multilateralism, trade, investment, and technology, as well as food, energy, and resilient supply chains.

BRICS Summit 2026: What Is on the Agenda?

The theme of the 2026 summit, which will be held in New Delhi, is “Resilience against Disruptions and Geopolitical Challenges.” The leaders of the BRICS countries are expected to deliberate on strengthening cooperation in health, agriculture, food, energy, disaster management, and critical supply chains.

Amid global geopolitical tensions, energy market fluctuations, and disrupted international trade, the leaders of the BRICS countries are expected to agree on bolstering their resilience.

Trade, Investment, and Technology

• Trade and investment are also expected to be high on the agenda of the BRICS Summit 2026.
• Partnerships among BRICS nations are anticipated to explore opportunities for trade and investment, connectivity, and cooperation, as well as digital trade, artificial intelligence, digital finance, payment systems, sovereign currencies, and MSMEs.
• Technology cooperation in particular is expected to play a critical role in bolstering ties among the enlarged BRICS grouping.

Global Governance and a Push for Multilateralism

Reforms in global governance and a push for multilateralism are also expected to be on the agenda of the BRICS Summit 2026.

The opening session of the summit will see the leaders of the BRICS nations discussing “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.” India has been advocating for a more representative and equitable international order in which developing and emerging economies play a bigger role in decision-making.

Russia-Ukraine War and Middle East Conflict in Focus

The Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict, as well as the Strait of Hormuz tension, are expected to dominate the summit agenda. At the same time, the US tariffs and the global trade situation are also key factors influencing the agenda of the BRICS Summit 2026.

The simmering conflict in the Middle East involving Iran will be of particular interest as Iran is a member of the enlarged BRICS grouping. At the same time, the lack of consensus among the BRICS nations on the Russia-Ukraine war may hinder efforts to adopt a joint statement on the conflict.

Modi, Xi Jinping and Putin: Key Meetings to Watch

While the official agenda of the summit is extensive, some of the most anticipated meetings of the BRICS Summit 2026 are set to occur outside the official bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet each other bilaterally, with the India-China and India-Russia encounters garnering particular attention.

The India-China meeting is expected to be of particular interest given New Delhi’s desire to balance its strategic autonomy with the need to pursue stable ties with Beijing.

BRICS Expansion Changes the Group’s Global Weight

The expansion of the BRICS grouping has propelled the bloc into a more influential position in international affairs.

The enlarged BRICS grouping of 11 nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE – has enhanced the potential economic and geopolitical impact of the bloc.

However, the inclusion of new members, which differ in many ways, has complicated internal deliberations on sensitive issues.

Can BRICS Reach a Common Position?

The key question in relation to the BRICS Summit 2026 concerns the ability of the enlarged grouping to reach a common position on a number of pressing issues.

In principle, the decisions of the BRICS leaders are taken by consensus, which means that disagreements among the members on key issues may undermine the summit outcome. In particular, the ability of the BRICS nations to agree on the joint declaration is likely to be tested at the New Delhi summit.

Delhi Turns Into a Security Fortress

With the leaders of the world due to arrive in Delhi for the summit, the capital of India has turned into a security fortress.

Security has been stepped up throughout the capital, with thousands of security personnel deployed, and additional surveillance and traffic measures put in place throughout the city. More than 35 roads in Delhi will be affected by heightened security and VIP movement during the summit.

At the same time, the metro, buses, and taxis will remain open for the convenience of commuters.

Why the BRICS Summit Matters

The BRICS Summit in Delhi is set to tackle a number of crucial international issues, ranging from geopolitical tensions and food and energy security to artificial intelligence, trade, climate resilience, and reforms of international organizations.

It is noteworthy that the summit agenda reflects not only the concerns of the BRICS nations but also those of other countries, particularly the G7 nations. For India, in particular, the summit is strategically important as New Delhi seeks to leverage its position as a global leader of the Global South to advance its strategic autonomy and trade and investment agenda.

Ultimately, the outcome of the BRICS Summit 2026 will have a lasting impact on international relations, trade, and international partnerships, as well as on the global geopolitical and economic order.