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BRICS leaders called for “maximum restraint” over escalating tensions in the Middle East while urging the protection of civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities and stressing the need to keep global trade, supply chains and energy flows moving.

The declaration also criticized unilateral coercive measures and called for greater multilateral cooperation on the global economy and international security.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026, bringing together leaders from major emerging economies as wars, trade tensions, and global economic uncertainty test the group’s ability to work together.

More than a dozen world leaders and senior officials are attending the two-day summit, which is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.”

The meeting comes as the United States and Israel’s war with Iran, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and disruptions to global energy markets create new challenges for the international economy.

BRICS has grown into a major platform for countries seeking greater influence in global affairs and less dependence on Western-led institutions. However, disagreements among its members over the Iran war, the conflict in Yemen, trade policies and the future of the international financial system could make it difficult to reach a common position on major geopolitical issues.

World Leaders Arrive in New Delhi

New Delhi has been decorated with BRICS-themed signs, illuminated buildings and decorated roundabouts ahead of the summit. Around 30,000 additional security personnel have been deployed, while roads near hotels hosting visiting leaders have been closed to traffic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in the Indian capital on Friday for bilateral meetings with Modi ahead of the summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on Saturday for his first visit to India in seven years. His meeting with Modi was one of the most closely watched events of the summit, as the two countries seek to improve relations after years of tension.

An action packed day at BRICS 2026. pic.twitter.com/DJ0wOWW0dv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026

The summit is also attracting leaders and senior representatives from countries outside the 11-member bloc, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nigeria, Burundi, Cuba, Uganda, Uruguay, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are also attending. Brazil is represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remains in Brazil for his 2026 election campaign.

BRICS was originally conceived as BRIC, referring to Brazil, Russia, India and China, and the first BRIC summit was held in 2009. South Africa joined in 2011, turning BRIC into BRICS.

BRICS now has 11 members – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The expanded BRICS represents roughly 49% of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP. It also accounts for about 26 percent of international trade.

The group aims to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies, increase the influence of developing countries in global institutions, and promote a more multipolar international order.

Unlike NATO or the European Union, BRICS is not a military alliance or a political union. Its members have different foreign policies, economic interests, and strategic priorities.

The New Delhi Declaration, adopted unanimously at the 2026 BRICS Delhi Summit, reflects the confidence of a BRICS that is wider in reach and stronger in purpose.

With a focus on innovation, sustainability, people-to-people ties and more, the endeavour is to make cooperation… pic.twitter.com/MtqucBx9AY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026

This has made the group both an important platform for cooperation and a difficult forum for reaching agreement on international crises.

Economic Cooperation and Alternatives to Western Finance

Economic cooperation remained at the center of the summit. Leaders are likely to discuss trade, energy security, supply chains, artificial intelligence and technological cooperation, as well as ways to strengthen financial links among member countries.

Cross-border payments are another major issue, particularly for Russia and Iran, which face extensive U.S. sanctions. The New Delhi declaration backed further work on cross-border payment mechanisms and discussions on trade settlements and investment using BRICS local currencies.

The discussions are intended to make trade more resilient and reduce exposure to financial disruptions caused by sanctions, tariffs and geopolitical tensions.

However, analysts say the group is unlikely to agree on replacing the U.S. dollar as the main global trading currency. Economic differences among BRICS members remain significant, while India and China have their own interests in maintaining access to global markets.

The New Development Bank remains one of the bloc’s most important achievements. By June 30, 2026, it had approved 141 projects with cumulative financing of about $44 billion, according to the bank.

BRICS has also established a $100 billion Contingent Reserve Arrangement to support members facing financial difficulties, although it has not yet been tested in a major financial crisis.

The group is expected to continue calling for reforms to institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and United Nations to give developing countries greater representation.

Iran War Creates Major Diplomatic Challenge

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran is likely to be one of the most sensitive issues at the summit. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is attended BRICS summit against the backdrop of months of fighting and deep divisions among BRICS members over the conflict. This was first his BRICS summit as president and the first visit by an Iranian president to India in eight years.

The conflict has affected energy markets, trade routes and regional security, making it a major concern for countries across the bloc. However, BRICS members remain divided over the war.

Iran is a member of the group, while the United Arab Emirates has faced Iranian attacks during Tehran’s retaliation against U.S. and Israeli strikes. The UAE also hosts U.S. military bases and has its own security concerns.

India has maintained relations with Iran, Israel and the United States, giving New Delhi a difficult diplomatic balance to manage.

In May, BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement condemning the war in Iran. India was forced to issue a chair’s summary instead.

At the leaders’ summit, however, BRICS members reached consensus on a joint declaration. The statement called for “maximum restraint” over escalating tensions in the Middle East/West Asia, urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy.

On Saturday, BRICS leaders expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and opposed unilateral coercive measures that are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

They also criticized deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The statement did not name any country, but its language was widely interreted as indirect criticism of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter,” the leaders said in their joint statement.

Ukraine War and Developments in Yemen

Russia’s war in Ukraine is another major issue facing the expanded bloc. BRICS leaders have previously avoided directly criticizing Moscow. At the 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025, the group adopted carefully worded language on the Ukraine war that reflected divisions amogn members while avoiding directly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This year, leaders are discussing the conflict in the context of international security, economic disruption and the interests of BRICS members. Recent diplomatic contacts between U.S. officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin have also created a new backdrop for discussions.

The conflict in Yemen presents another challenge. Iran-backed Houthi forces have recently carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities and other infrastructure, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The fighting has affected maritime security and trade routes near the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Iran and Saudi Arabia have recently discussed ways to reduce tensions and improve regional stability, but their competing interests remain a challenge for BRICS diplomacy.

Xi and Modi Meeting

The arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in India is one of the summit’s most important bilateral developments.

China and India have experienced strained relations since a deadly military border clash in the Himalayas in 2020. Although ties have improved in recent years, disagreements over their contested frontier, trade and regional influence remain.

On September 12, Xi met Modi in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The two leaders agreed that China and India should be partners rather than rivals, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

Xi said China approaches relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective. He called for the two countries to support each other’s development, expand cooperation and maintain peace in border areas.

He also proposed stronger cooperation in trade, direct flights, people-to-people exchanges and international organizations.

Xi made four main observations on the future of bilateral relations:

• China and India should maintain an objective and rational strategic understanding of each other.
• Both countries should focus on development and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.
• They should use political wisdom and mutual respect to address border disputes.
• They should coordinate in BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the G20.

Modi also said India sees China as a partner rather than a rival and views bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

He also said India’s independent foreign policy means its relations with China are not determined by any third party.

Modi also said India’s policy on Taiwan and Tibet remains unchanged and that New Delhi would not allow anti-China activities on its territory.

The two leaders agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and support each other’s BRICS presidencies. China will take over the BRICS chairmanship next year.

India Seeks Greater Global South Leadership

For India, the summit is more than an annual diplomatic meeting. It is an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading voice of the Global South.

Modi has stressed that BRICS is not an alliance against the West. “BRICS is not against anyone,” he said, calling for the Global South to become a “rule-shaper” in global governance.

He also urged members to translate their unity into concrete outcomes and proposed a BRICS seafarers’ network to improve the safety and welfare of maritime workers.

India’s foreign policy priorities, including strategic autonomy, multilateralism and greater representation for developing countries, align with many BRICS objectives.

However, New Delhi must also manage China’s considerable influence within the group. China has developed strong economic and diplomatic ties across Africa, Latin America and other parts of the developing world. India also wants to deepens its own relations with countries such as Ethiopia, Brazil and Indonesia.

🌳 Russian President Vladimir Putin, together with #BRICS nations’ Heads of State and Heads of delegations, took part in a ceremonial tree-planting event.

📹 © https://t.co/TI5F0Zcbmq pic.twitter.com/8Ojf54ly3j

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) September 12, 2026

The summit also comes shortly before a planned September 24 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, adding further importance to Xi’s visit to India.

The central question for BRICS is whether it can continue expanding cooperation while its members disagree on major international issues.

Russia and China are more comfortable presenting the group as a counterweight to U.S. and Western influence. India and several other members prefer BRICS to remain a platform for strategic autonomy rather than an explicitly anti-Western alliance.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised BRICS, particularly its discussions about reducing dependence on the dollar. He has warned countries against creating an alternative currency to replace the U.S. dollar.

However, analysts say BRICS is unlikely to become a unified anti-U.S. alliance. Its members have different economic interests, security concerns and relationships with Washington. The group’s growing importance instead lies in its ability to give emerging economies greater collective weight and more options in trade, finance and diplomacy.

New Delhi must balance relations with the United States, China, Russia, Iran and other members while using its BRICS chairmanship to pus for practical coopertaion across the wider bloc.

The success of the summit will therefore depend not only on whether leaders agree on global crises, but also on whether they can deliver practical cooperation in trade, finance, technology and development.

The New Delhi declaration shows that BRICS can still find common ground despite sharp geopolitical differences. Whether that consensus can translate into sustained cooperation will determine how much influence the expanded bloc can exercise in a changing international order.

President @drpezeshkian and BRICS leaders planted saplings at the Bharat Mandapam venue in New Delhi following the closed-door summit, symbolizing their joint commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and multilateral unity. #Iran #BRICS #India pic.twitter.com/0ZT2W2CBoz

— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) September 12, 2026