An action packed day at BRICS 2026

The 18th Brics Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, brought together leaders, with diplomacy, geopolitics and moments of warmth taking centre stage. Hosted by India under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the summit saw discussions on global conflicts, economic cooperation, multilateralism and the evolving role of Brics. Here are five unmissable moments from the Brics 2026 Summit.

1. PM Modi shared a candid moment with Putin and Xi Jinping at Brics Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a light moment with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Brics Summit in New Delhi. From PM Modi and Putin travelling together by car inside the Bharat Mandapam complex to PM Modi and Xi sharing warm moments and the leaders participating in a gala dinner and cultural engagements, the summit combined diplomacy with symbols of Brics unity.

2. Three powerful leaders shared the stage as Brics adopted New Delhi Declaration 2026

The Brics countries on Saturday unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi. “No member has raised any objection. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 is adopted unanimously,” PM Modi said at the summit.

3. Brics leaders plant great banyan tree saplings on day 1 of Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of nine other Brics member countries on Friday planted a total of 10 saplings of the great banyan tree in the verdant lawns of the Bharat Mandapam complex on day one of the Summit.

4. Brics Summit: PM Modi, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian shared warm hug

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian share a warm embrace during the Brics Summit in New Delhi, as the ongoing US-Iran war and wider Middle East tensions loom over the summit. Iran and the United Arab Emirates also joined a Brics joint statement on Saturday calling for restraint in the Middle East war, signalling a potential step forward in diplomatic ties between the two countries, which have been divided over the conflict.

5. PM Modi greeted Brics leaders against backdrop of Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathaswamy temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 12, 2026) welcomed Brics leaders against a backdrop featuring Tamil Nadu's iconic Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the Char Dham shrines where Lord Rama is believed to have performed puja after his victory over the demon king Ravana. Narendra Modi in an X post wrote, "Swagatam BRICS leaders for the 2026 Summit."