The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit is set to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with leaders from the expanded grouping of 11 nations convening to address global governance, trade, and security. The summit, hosted by India as chair, will focus on themes of resilience, innovation, and sustainability, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive growth. The event will be held at Bharat Mandapam, with a multilayered security grid in place to accommodate the large number of foreign dignitaries and senior officials expected to attend.

Delhi has been placed under heightened security measures, with around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel and 200 paramilitary companies deployed. CCTV cameras have been installed across key locations, and aerial activity has been restricted within a 300-km radius of the capital for 52 hours. The New Delhi railway station will see changes to train operations, including cancellations and rescheduling, to manage the influx of visitors.

The summit will begin with a closed-door meeting on September 12, followed by a visit to the Bharat Innovates Exhibition and a joint tree-planting ceremony. On the second day, leaders will gather for the main open session titled 'Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.' The summit will conclude with the New Delhi Declaration, outlining the collective commitments of the BRICS nations.

Key world leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The arrival schedule, provided by media coordination, details the expected times and locations of each leader’s arrival, with Putin being the first to arrive on September 11. Modi is scheduled to meet Putin on September 12, and Xi Jinping will arrive on September 12, marking his first visit to India in seven years.

India’s role as chair of the BRICS summit is central to the event, with the country focusing on strengthening supply chains, trade cooperation, and cross-border payments. Discussions on clean energy, sustainable growth, and global governance reform are expected to be key topics. India’s leadership in BRICS intersects with its roles in the Quad and G20, meaning its actions will be closely scrutinised by the international community, including the United States. While the use of national currencies in trade is likely to be well-received within BRICS, it may not align with U.S. interests, particularly regarding sanctions on Iran and Russia.

The summit will also address major global and regional developments, including geopolitical conflicts and disruptions to global trade and energy routes. The event is expected to draw around 1,200-1,300 journalists, highlighting its significance as a platform for international dialogue. However, some details about the outcomes of the summit and the specific agreements reached remain unclear, as no official statements have been released at the time of this report.