Modi, Putin and Xi showcase close ties at Delhi BRICS summit
At the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping were photographed sharing hugs, handshakes and laughter, signaling a united front among the three leaders.
The 18th BRICS summit concluded in Delhi with striking images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping exchanging embraces, handshakes and smiles, underscoring a palpable sense of unity. This was the leaders' second joint encounter this year after meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, a gathering that drew criticism from the United States. Throughout the two-day event, Modi hosted both Putin and Xi, gifting the Russian leader a Russian translation of the Thirukkural and engaging in bilateral talks on defence, energy and regional issues.
The summit also featured discussions with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, reflecting BRICS' role as a platform for emerging economies to coordinate on finance, technology and global governance. The visible rapport among the three heads of state was presented as a counter-balance to Western influence, especially as India seeks to manage its border dispute with China while maintaining close ties with Russia.
Why it matters
The leaders' public camaraderie signals a strengthening alliance that could reshape global power dynamics and challenge Western influence.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights the summit as a display of unity and cooperation among Modi, Putin and Xi, while right-leaning coverage stresses internal disagreements and questions the relevance of the bloc.
LEFT
Frames the summit as a vivid showcase of friendly ties and collaborative spirit among the leaders.
RIGHT
Frames the summit as exposing sharp agenda clashes and the limited strategic value of the grouping.
The left emphasises
- striking images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping exchanging embraces, handshakes and smiles
- a palpable sense of unity
- Modi gifting the Russian leader a Russian translation of the Thirukkural
The right emphasises
- participants' agendas clash sharply
- BRICS lacks real relevance compared with groups like NATO or the SCO
- the summit underscores India's vulnerabilities rather than its strength
How this story developed
- Sep 4 India Hosts 2026 BRICS Leaders Summit with Global Leaders in New Delhi
- Sep 11 The two leaders shared a car ride to the INNOPROM India exhibition after their bilateral talks.
- Sep 11 BRICS expanded to eleven member countries.
- Sep 12 The 18th BRICS summit opened in New Delhi with India presiding and leaders including Xi Jinping arriving for the meeting.
- Sep 12 Modi called for immediate UN Security Council reform and urged the Global South to become a rule‑shaper at the summit's opening.
- Sep 12 The two leaders reaffirmed the need for mutual respect, sensitivity and shared interests while discussing border stability and economic cooperation. They highlighted progress in people-to-people contacts and called for expanded cultural, business and mobility links. Both sides also pledged to address trade imbalances, supply-chain challenges and to seek a fair, mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue.
- Sep 12 Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS nations at the New Delhi summit to support peace initiatives in the Middle East, saying the war harms the international community.
- Sep 12 The two leaders met on the margins of the BRICS Summit. Vietnam is a partner country in the BRICS grouping.
- Sep 12 Leaders adopted the Delhi Declaration and Modi proposed a continuity mechanism to implement summit outcomes.
- Sep 12 The leaders met bilaterally during the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
- Sep 13 Leaders adopted a 140‑point New Delhi Declaration covering security, trade, climate and technology issues.
- Sep 13 Day 2 of the summit focused on PM Modi’s four‑pillar BRICS agenda, early‑warning and disaster systems, AI, digital agriculture, supply chains and startups.
- Sep 13 President Xi outlined proposals for a BRICS AI Open Source Zone and a China‑hosted service‑trade forum.
- Sep 13 Modi paused his closing‑session speech to query Xi’s translator after the Chinese president showed discomfort and skipped the gala dinner.
In this story
Related stories
21 in this thread