Xi calls on BRICS to mediate Middle East, meets Modi in New Delhi
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS group to act as a peace broker in the Middle East and, on the sidelines of the summit, emphasized a strategic, long-term partnership with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the BRICS summit in New Delhi, President Xi Jinping called on the coalition of emerging economies to become a peacemaker in the Middle East, arguing that the ongoing war harms the global community. He pledged that China will work alongside other BRICS nations to pursue this diplomatic role. In a separate meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi described the bilateral relationship as strategic and long-term, urging both sides to draw on each other’s strengths for shared development.
The bloc, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, representing over 40% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of global GDP. Xi noted that BRICS serves as a leading group for the Global South and a model of self-reliance. He also announced that China will chair the group next year and host one outlet BRICS summit. Analysts say the visit, Xi’s first to India in seven years, may ease diplomatic tensions, though immediate economic gains remain uncertain.
Why it matters
BRICS’ push for Middle East peace and stronger India-China ties could reshape global diplomacy and trade dynamics.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps note the condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, but left-leaning coverage centers on the attack and the omission of Pakistan, center coverage highlights BRICS’ diplomatic role and de-escalation efforts, while right-leaning coverage stresses calls for restraint, arms-spending concerns and support for a two-state solution.
LEFT
Frames the story around condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and noting that the declaration did not name Pakistan.
CENTER
Frames the story as a diplomatic milestone where BRICS is urged to mediate the Middle East, de-escalate West Asia, and strengthen strategic ties.
RIGHT
Frames the story as a warning about rising tensions and military spending, urging maximum restraint and reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
The left emphasises
- condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
- called for combating terrorism in all its forms
- did not name Pakistan
The right emphasises
- urged maximum restraint in West Asia
- condemned the Pahalgam attack
- warned of rising global military spending
How this story developed
- Sep 4 India Hosts 2026 BRICS Leaders Summit with Global Leaders in New Delhi
- Sep 9 A bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin has been added to the summit agenda.
- Sep 9 India is positioning the summit as a development‑oriented bridge and has set aside the idea of a shared BRICS currency.
- Sep 10 India’s chairmanship delivered 20 sector‑specific agreements on SMEs, startups and supply‑chain resilience.
- Sep 10 Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the summit, marking his first visit to India since 2019.
- Sep 10 India deploys roughly 25,000 security personnel and implements traffic diversions ahead of the summit.
- Sep 11 Delhi traffic to be rerouted from 2 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday for the BRICS summit.
- Sep 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin rode together in the Russian leader's Aurus limousine from the SCO summit to their bilateral meeting venue in New Delhi.
- Sep 11 Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian touched down in New Delhi for bilateral talks ahead of the summit.
- 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.
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