Modi greets BRICS leaders against backdrop of Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathaswamy temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted BRICS leaders at the Bharat Mandapam, using the Ramanathaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu as a symbolic backdrop. The event emphasized India's cultural heritage while facilitating diplomatic discussions among member and partner nations.
Why it matters
The use of cultural iconography in high-level diplomacy reflects India's strategy to project soft power and historical identity on the global stage during major summits.
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.
At Bharat Mandapam, where the 18th BRICS Summit is underway, the Prime Minister received the leaders of BRICS nations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The leaders shook hands and posed for pictures against the backdrop featuring the iconic Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Welcoming Mr. Xi, Mr. Modi also explained to him the significance of the temple.
India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. It is being attended by the leaders of 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, besides some international organisations.
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