The highly anticipated 18th summit of BRICS, the grouping of emerging and developing economies, officially commences on Saturday (September 12, 2026) in host nation India. Capital city New Delhi has been wrapped in a tight blanket of security to accommodate the high-profile international gathering.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi late Friday night (September 11) to attend the summit. Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and heads of state from South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia have already landed on Indian soil.
Against the backdrop of intensifying military conflict in the Middle East, a global energy crisis, and tightening US sanctions, this summit is widely viewed as a pivotal geopolitical event. Key items on the agenda include expanding local-currency trade (de-dollarization) among member states, strengthening institutional alternatives to the World Bank and IMF, and addressing regional tensions in the Middle East.
Indian law enforcement agencies have established a dedicated high-tech control room to oversee continuous security at the international convention center, Bharat Mandapam, and surrounding areas. The center provides real-time monitoring of VVIP motorcades and overall city security.
Meanwhile, maintaining its previously announced stance, the interim government of Bangladesh remains firm on its decision not to send Prime Minister Tarique Rahman or any official delegation to the summit, citing dissatisfaction over the invitation protocol.
