Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, 2026, for the BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to India in nearly seven years. His arrival comes at a crucial moment for the grouping, with the summit being dominated by escalating conflicts in West Asia and the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under its chairship at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. Leaders from the expanded 11-member grouping are discussing global security, trade, energy, economic cooperation and reforms to international institutions, with geopolitical conflicts casting a shadow over the proceedings.
Xi’s visit is particularly significant because India-China relations have gone through several years of tensions. His presence in New Delhi provides an opportunity for the two countries to continue high-level engagement and discuss areas of mutual interest. Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were seen shaking hands at the summit after the opening session.
The wars in West Asia and Ukraine are expected to remain among the most difficult issues for BRICS leaders. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created concerns over civilian casualties, energy security and regional stability. Addressing the summit, Xi said the war in West Asia was causing serious losses and argued that the conflict did not serve the common interests of the international community.
The Ukraine conflict is also adding to tensions within the wider international system. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is also attending the summit, warned that the deployment of European troops to Ukraine would amount to war with Russia. His remarks highlighted the continuing divide between Russia and Western countries over the conflict.
Despite these geopolitical differences, BRICS members reached consensus on a New Delhi Declaration on Saturday. The declaration called for dialogue and diplomacy to prevent conflicts and stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of international disputes. The grouping also expressed concern over growing nuclear risks and emphasised nuclear safety and security, including during armed conflicts.
Economic issues are another major focus of the summit. BRICS countries have called for smoother global trade, stronger supply chains and continued discussions on cross-border payment mechanisms. For India, the summit also provides an opportunity to push for greater representation of developing nations in global financial and political institutions.
Xi’s presence also comes as India and China look to strengthen economic engagement while managing strategic differences. China’s economic dominance within BRICS and its large trade surplus with India remain sensitive issues. New Delhi is seeking more balanced economic cooperation and greater opportunities for Indian businesses within the bloc.
The 2026 summit is taking place as BRICS marks its 20th anniversary. India has used its presidency to push themes including Global South cooperation, governance reforms, technology and sustainable development. Prime Minister Modi has also called for reforms to the UN Security Council and other international institutions to better reflect today’s global economic realities.
With Xi and Putin among the key leaders in New Delhi, the BRICS Summit has become an important diplomatic gathering at a time of heightened global uncertainty. While economic cooperation remains at the heart of the grouping, the wars in West Asia and Ukraine are forcing BRICS leaders to confront some of the most serious geopolitical challenges facing the world today.
