BRICS 2026 beyond the Declaration: An Indian feast, Bollywood tunes by the Malaysian PM, and more
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi concluded its first day with a consensus on the New Delhi Declaration, which calls for restraint in ongoing conflicts. The event featured diplomatic meetings and cultural exchanges, though notable leaders like Xi Jinping were absent from the gala dinner.
Why it matters
The summit highlights the evolving diplomatic dynamics within the BRICS bloc amidst global tensions and shifting alliances.
The first day of the 18th BRICS Summit being held in New Delhi on Saturday (September 12, 2026) saw the grouping arrive at a crucial consensus , as negotiators worked until the last minute to bring Iran and the United Arab Emirates on the same page.
BRICS Summit 2026 updates on September 13, 2026
The eagerly awaited New Delhi Declaration skipped direct mentions of the U.S. strikes on Iran or Iranian military’s attacks on several Gulf Arab nations, but called for “maximum restraint” in the war. It also made no separate mention of the Russian war in Ukraine.
With the diplomatic hurdles cleared early in the evening, the cohort returned to the decked-out Bharat Mandapam at night for the gala dinner. The newsmakers attending the Summit wrapped up the first day with an Indian feast, some Bollywood tunes, and much more.
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