18th BRICS Summit 2026: Who are the world leaders attending in New Delhi, India’s role, and more

With the highly anticipated BRICS summit approaching, the world is closely watching how the event will unfold. The BRICS group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will hold its 18th heads-of-state and government summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

The summit is set to take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, as India assumed the role of Chair of BRICS on January 1, 2026. Previously, India held this role in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the world leaders who will arrive in New Delhi for the BRICS summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is also widely expected to attend the BRICS summit before visiting the U.S. for a summit meeting with President Donald Trump later this month.