BRICS Summit Day 2 LIVE: Modi urges BRICS unity amid rising global tensions
Two-day 18th BRICS Summit to conclude today after first day marked by joint declaration and a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and China's Xi Jinping
The two-day 18th BRICS Summit 2026 will conclude today (September 13) after the first day was marked by a joint declaration overcoming sharp divisions between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict, and a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The world leaders attending the summit are scheduled to hold an open session on 'Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' during the day.
New Delhi Declaration
On Saturday (September 12), the BRICS grouping adopted a joint declaration that was severely critical of Israel for continuing violence in Gaza and called for fulfilling aspirations of Palestinian people even though it was mum on Russia’s war on Ukraine.
BRICS, without naming the US, also voiced serious concerns over proliferation of “trade-restrictive actions” such as “indiscriminate” tariffs and non-tariff measures as well as protectionism, saying they threatened to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities.
The grouping came out against “unilateral sanctions” and “coercive measures” that are contrary to international law, in what is seen as a veiled criticism of Western economic sanctions on Russia.
Modi holds talks with Xi
In their talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi reaffirmed that both the countries should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties and differences should not become disputes, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
PM Modi conveyed to President Xi that peace and tranquillity along the frontier remains “essential” for development of India-China relations, even as the two leaders welcomed “steady progress” in the bilateral ties.
A Chinese readout said Xi made four specific points on promoting the steady and sustained development of China-India relations that included calibrating the direction of the ties with a clear objective to move forward and considering each other as partners rather than rivals.
Modi’s opening address
The two-day BRICS Summit started in New Delhi on Saturday with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. In his opening address, Modi proposed a 10-point roadmap for global governance reform under the BRICS framework and advocated for a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” to safeguard sailors facing heightened risks from ongoing global and regional crises.
India assumed its fourth BRICS chairship on January 1. The year 2026 also marks a milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment.
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Live Updates
- 13 Sept 2026 7:42 AM IST
India, UAE deepen strategic partnership amid West Asia tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Saturday to review bilateral ties and expand cooperation. Against the backdrop of regional conflict, both leaders stressed that a strong India-UAE partnership is a symbol of stability and prosperity.
Talks focused on boosting trade and investment, with special emphasis on Emirati sovereign fund L’Imad’s role in deepening ties. The UAE’s International Holding Company announced a USD 11.5 billion investment in a greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, expected to make the state a global hub.
Beyond trade, discussions covered defence, space, nuclear energy, AI, critical minerals, food security, and connectivity. Modi highlighted the strategic partnership’s importance in uncertain times, while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in emerging sectors and strengthening long-term relations. - 13 Sept 2026 7:34 AM IST
Xi skips Modi’s BRICS gala dinner; Putin and others attend
Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders and partner nations on Saturday, with reports suggesting he returned to his hotel to rest. Xi arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day, attended the summit, and held bilateral talks with Modi.
Other notable absentees included Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders were present, alongside Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as well as chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari, and Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The dinner, held at Bharat Mandapam, featured a menu blending regional delicacies such as khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, millet pulao, and desserts like jalebi with fruit cream and shahtoot phirni.
- 13 Sept 2026 7:28 AM IST
Modi, Xi stress peace as cornerstone of ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 12) told Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit that peace along the frontier was “essential” for the development of India-China relations, as the two leaders welcomed steady progress in ties.
Both reaffirmed the need to view relations from a strategic, long-term perspective, stressing that differences should not become disputes. Modi highlighted the “three mutuals”—mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest—as guiding principles. Xi, in his readout, outlined four points: Calibrating ties with a clear strategic direction, treating each other as partners not rivals, addressing irritants with political wisdom, and contributing to global cooperation through multilateral coordination.
On the economic front, they agreed to tackle structural trade imbalances, supply chain issues, and ensure predictable market access. Both sides committed to a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable” resolution of the boundary question, linking it to broader bilateral interests.
The meeting came hours after Xi’s arrival in New Delhi—his first visit to India in seven years—amid lingering concerns over Chinese military posturing in Arunachal Pradesh. It followed recent confidence-building measures and high-level exchanges, including NSA Ajit Doval’s talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
The leaders also noted progress in people-to-people ties and called for deeper cultural exchanges, business linkages, and greater mobility. Modi appreciated China’s support for India’s BRICS chairship, while Xi emphasized cooperation in development and public perception through expanded exchanges.
After years of strained ties following the 2020 Galwan clashes, the talks marked another step in efforts to normalize relations, with both sides seeking to balance strategic sensitivities with economic pragmatism.
