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06:15 PM, Sep 12 2026
Modi-Xi Jinping meeting to take place shortly
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05:29 PM, Sep 12 2026
BRICS nations say terrorism must not be linked to any religion, nationality or community
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05:29 PM, Sep 12 2026
BRICS nations unanimously approve New Delhi Declaration despite Iran-UAE differences
- BRICS countries unanimously approved the New Delhi Declaration on Saturday, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for India.
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The consensus was reached after several rounds of negotiations, despite differences between Iran and the UAE over the conflict in West Asia.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the approval at the conclusion of the first day of the two-day BRICS Summit.
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05:28 PM, Sep 12 2026
BRICS countries flay Pahalgam terror attack
- BRICS countries have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025.
- In the New Delhi Declaration, member states reaffirmed their firm stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
- BRICS leaders stressed a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
- The declaration called for action against cross-border terrorism, terror financing and those providing safe havens to terrorists.
- Member countries reiterated their commitment to strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism.
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05:06 PM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi releases 2 commemorative postage stamps marking 20 years of BRICS
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05:05 PM, Sep 12 2026
BRICS leaders visit Bharat Mandapam to view Bharat Innovates exhibition
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04:38 PM, Sep 12 2026
5 key takeaways from PM Modi's BRICS Summit address
1. A New 20-Year Agenda for BRICS
Modi proposed setting a fresh agenda for BRICS over the next two decades, along with establishing a permanent mechanism to ensure decisions taken by the bloc are actually implemented.
2. Global South's role in rule-making
He emphasised equal participation of developing nations in shaping global rules and standards for emerging domains such as AI, cyberspace, outer space and biotechnology.
3. Preparing the next generation
Modi suggested training young diplomats and policymakers in negotiation skills and international law to build future leadership capacity within BRICS nations.
4. An emergency network for Ssailors
He proposed creating a cross-country network to support seafarers in distress--- covering medical treatment, contact with families and safe evacuation.
5. A Shared future means shared decision-making
Modi stated that since the world's future is shared, the right to shape that future must also belong to all nations equally.
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03:58 PM, Sep 12 2026
Key takeaways from PM Modi’s BRICS speech
Global South must become a “rule shaper”: Modi said developing nations can no longer remain on the sidelines of global decision-making and must play a greater role in shaping international rules.
End the “pyramid of privilege”: He called for replacing the existing global governance structure, where power is concentrated among a few countries, with a “platform of partnership” that gives every nation a meaningful voice.
10-point global governance reform roadmap: Modi proposed that BRICS members jointly formulate 10 proposals for global governance reforms, with the aim of turning them into a BRICS reform roadmap by the next summit.
Urgent UN Security Council reform: The Prime Minister said reform of the UN Security Council can no longer be delayed, arguing that the current global governance system does not adequately represent today’s world.
BRICS is not against anyone: Modi stressed that the grouping has developed its own identity on the global stage and is not directed against any country, a message seen as relevant to Western powers, including the US.
Global South at the centre of crises, but not decisions: He highlighted the contradiction that countries in the Global South are often the most affected by global crises but have limited influence over decisions taken to address them.
Development of humanity should be the priority: Modi called for global institutions and partnerships to put human development and shared progress at the heart of international efforts.
BRICS as a platform for cooperation: His remarks underlined the need for BRICS to strengthen cooperation among developing and emerging economies while addressing global challenges collectively.
Message amid wars and geopolitical tensions: Modi’s call for greater representation and reform came against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, which are having economic and geopolitical repercussions worldwide.
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03:43 PM, Sep 12 2026
Why were Xi Jinpings cars covered in black ahead of his Delhi arrival? The secretive Hongqi N701 explained
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03:18 PM, Sep 12 2026
'Sangam' mural at BRICS Summit: Where cultures converge like rivers
- The mural draws inspiration from the Indian concept of 'Sangam', the meeting of rivers, symbolising friendship and a confluence of cultures among BRICS nations.
- Artists from various BRICS member countries came together to create this large-scale thematic mural specifically for the Summit.
- The artwork is part of the "BRICS Friendship Mural Project."
- The mural is displayed on a wall inside the main Bharat Mandapam building, which also houses the Summit Room, according to a senior ICCR official.
- The project was facilitated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the cultural arm of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Created under the theme "Sangam: Confluence of Cultures," the mural unites the diverse artistic traditions of all BRICS member countries in a single collaborative public artwork.
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03:13 PM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi formally opens BRICS Summit 2026: Charts a vision for the next 20 years
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally declared the opening of the BRICS Summit 2026 and addressed the assembled leaders.
- Modi stated that BRICS is not directed against anyone but strives to bring everyone together in partnership.
- PM Modi extended a welcome to all visiting heads of state and delegations to India for the summit.
- He emphasised that India's BRICS chairship has kept ordinary people and humanity at the forefront of its priorities.
- India placed resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainable development at the core of its agenda during its presidency.
- Special attention was given to connecting BRICS' work directly with the lives of ordinary citizens.
- More than 350 meetings were held across nearly 30 cities in India during its chairship term.
- Modi urged BRICS nations to draft a fresh, ambitious agenda for the organisation's next two decades.
- He noted that while the BRICS chairship rotates annually, this should not disrupt the momentum of the organisation's work.
- Narendra Modi proposed establishing a standing mechanism to ensure continuity of work and to monitor implementation of decisions — even as the chairship changes hands between countries.
- He also suggested creating a secure digital record system to track each decision, including who is responsible, the deadline for completion and the progress made on it.
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02:18 PM, Sep 12 2026
Jaishankar meets Belarusian Foreign Minister on BRICS sidelines
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Belarusian counterpart, Maxim Ryzhenkov, in New Delhi on Saturday during the 18th BRICS Summit.
- The meeting took place at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
- The two leaders discussed bilateral ties, with a focus on increasing trade and investments, connectivity, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
- They also exchanged perspectives on current regional developments.
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01:59 PM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi with Cai Qi during Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last year
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01:57 PM, Sep 12 2026
Who Is Cai Qi, China’s powerful second-in-command?
- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in India for the BRICS Summit, accompanied by Cai Qi, one of China’s most powerful leaders and Xi’s close aide.
- Cai Qi’s presence highlights the importance Beijing attaches to improving ties with India after the deadly border clashes.
- Xi’s delegation also includes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. It is Xi’s first India visit in nearly seven years.
- Cai Qi, 70, has had a rapid rise through the Communist Party, moving directly into the Politburo in 2017 after becoming Beijing’s party chief.
- In 2022, he joined the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, China’s highest political decision-making body.
- Cai currently heads the Communist Party’s General Office, effectively serving as Xi’s chief of staff, and also leads the party’s central ideology school.
- Cai and Xi have known each other for decades, having worked together in Fujian and Zhejiang, helping build a close political relationship.
- Cai was once known as “Uncle Cai” on Weibo for engaging directly with citizens, but later adopted a much tougher governance style.
- He now plays a major role in policy implementation, cybersecurity and national security, further strengthening his influence.
- Analysts describe Cai as a strategic and highly trusted operator who has the rare ability to speak on Xi’s behalf.
- His prominent role during Xi’s India visit is being seen as a signal of Beijing’s intent to deepen ties with New Delhi amid a thaw in relations.
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01:52 PM, Sep 12 2026
Xi Jinping receives cultural welcome in New Delhi
- Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Performers greeted the arriving delegation at Palam Air Force Station with a showcase of India's diverse dance traditions, including Assam's Bihu, Manipuri dance, Gujarat's Garba and Kathak (a classical dance form from northern India).
- This marks Xi Jinping's first visit to India in nearly seven years, making it a notable moment in India-China relations.
- The choice to feature dance forms from multiple regions placed India's cultural diversity at the centre of the reception for the visiting delegation.
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01:12 PM, Sep 12 2026
Xi Jinping's 18-foot-long Hongqi N701
Jinping departed Palam Airport in his special Hongqi N701 limousine. This custom state limousine, measuring approximately 18 feet (5.5 metre) in length, has been specially built for Jinping's use.
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12:55 PM, Sep 12 2026
President Murmu meets Iranian President Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.
The two leaders discussed India-Iran relations, trade, regional cooperation, and issues of mutual interest. Pezeshkian is visiting India to participate in the BRICS Summit.
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12:40 PM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Vietnamese counterpart
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12:14 PM, Sep 12 2026
Xi Jinping's first India visit Since Galwan Clash
- Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in India after 7 years; his meeting with PM Modi will mark their first face-to-face engagement since the 2020 Galwan clash.
- Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) persisted between the two countries for nearly 4 years following the Galwan standoff.
- India and China are currently working on 6 major issues, ranging from the LAC to bilateral trade.
- The border dispute remains the most critical issue; both countries have agreed to set up an expert group to address it.
- The two sides have also agreed to establish 2 additional military liaison points along the border and 2 military hotlines in the Eastern and Middle sectors.
- These decisions now await final approval from the top leadership of both nations.
- Trade is the second major issue between the two countries — in 2025-26, India imported goods worth approximately Rs 11.4 lakh crore from China.
- This has resulted in India's trade deficit with China widening to over Rs 8.6 lakh crore.
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12:02 PM, Sep 12 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Delhi; plane lands at Palam Airport
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11:45 AM, Sep 12 2026
Who's attending: BRICS Summit 2026
Several prominent world leaders are scheduled to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
Key attendees:
- Xi Jinping, President of China
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
- Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
- Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran
- Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt
- Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia
- Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
- Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
- Mauro Vieira, Foreign Minister of Brazil
Other Participating Leaders (as per MEA list):
- Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda
- Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria
- Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
- Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
- Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of Vietnam
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan
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11:44 AM, Sep 12 2026
Key takeaways from September 11 BRICS meetings
- India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
- Traffic on several major roads in Delhi will be regulated on September 12 due to the summit, with restrictions in place from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, according to Delhi Police.
- PM Modi once again urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work toward ending the conflict in Ukraine, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward; the two leaders also reviewed progress on economic, defence, and energy cooperation, as well as worker mobility.
- PM Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasising the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce, along with the safety and well-being of seafarers, per the external affairs ministry.
- President Pezeshkian called for greater use of local currencies in BRICS trade and highlighted Iran's geography, energy resources, and transport links as a strategic bridge for the bloc's economic connectivity.
- President Putin invited PM Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, the Indian government confirmed.
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11:42 AM, Sep 12 2026
'Long live the friendship between Iran and India!'
- The Iranian Embassy in India shared a photo from Friday's BRICS Summit showing PM Narendra Modi with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also visible in the frame.
- The embassy captioned the post, noting that when leaders of two great nations join hands, it reflects the historic friendship between two great civilizations.
- The caption further declared: "Long live the friendship between Iran and India!"
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10:55 AM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi meets Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim
- Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit.
- The meeting between the two leaders took place at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
- During the meeting, both leaders discussed issues related to bilateral relations.
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10:46 AM, Sep 12 2026
Putin at BRICS
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10:45 AM, Sep 12 2026
Delhi traffic diversions
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10:42 AM, Sep 12 2026
Xi Jinping leaves for New Delhi, to hold talks with Modi
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10:41 AM, Sep 12 2026
PM Modi meets Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit.
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10:30 AM, Sep 12 2026
South African President Ramaphosa meets Gautam Adani
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, in Delhi.
- The meeting was part of South Africa's business engagement on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- According to South Africa's Presidential Office, the discussion aimed to further strengthen trade and investment ties between South Africa and India.
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10:16 AM, Sep 12 2026
Pakistan, Turkey yet to gain entry into BRICS despite membership push
- Pakistan formally applied to join BRICS in 2023, following the grouping’s expansion.
- Pakistan’s bid reportedly received backing from China and Russia, but it has not been admitted to the group so far.
- Turkey has also expressed interest in joining BRICS, but its membership bid has not moved forward.
- Several media reports have suggested that India was not in favour of admitting Pakistan and Turkey into the grouping.
- BRICS decisions on admitting new members require the consent of existing members, meaning an objection from even one member can potentially block an expansion bid.
- India has not officially stated that it opposed or blocked Pakistan’s BRICS membership application.
- Pakistan and Turkey therefore remain outside the BRICS grouping despite their efforts to become members.
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10:15 AM, Sep 12 2026
Did you know how BRICS get its name
- The term BRIC was not created by a government. It was first used in 2001 by Jim O’Neill, an economist at US investment bank Goldman Sachs.
- O’Neill used BRIC to refer to Brazil, Russia, India and China, describing them as large economies with strong growth potential.
- BRIC was initially just an economic concept and was not an official organisation.
- The four countries gradually began working together, formally creating the BRIC grouping in 2006.
- The first formal BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
- In 2010, South Africa joined the group, turning BRIC into BRICS.
- Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia later became full members, further expanding the grouping.
- BRICS has now emerged as a major economic platform, with its member countries accounting for more than 27% of global GDP, compared with around 14% for the European Union.
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10:14 AM, Sep 12 2026
Xi Jinping’s first India visit since Galwan Clash
- Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India after seven years, with his visit closely watched amid ongoing efforts to improve India-China ties.
- Xi’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be their first in-person meeting in India since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
- Following the Galwan clash, tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remained high between India and China for nearly four years.
- The two countries are now working on several key issues, with the border dispute remaining the most important.
- India and China have agreed to set up an expert group on the boundary issue. The decision will require approval from the top leadership of both countries.
- The two sides have also agreed to establish two additional military contact points along the border.
- Plans are also in place for two military hotlines in the eastern and central sectors to improve communication and prevent misunderstandings.
- India’s growing trade deficit with China is another key concern in bilateral relations.
- In 2025-26, India imported goods worth around ₹11.4 lakh crore from China.
- India’s trade deficit with China crossed ₹8.6 lakh crore during the period.
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10:12 AM, Sep 12 2026
Delhi Police vehicles undergo sniffer dog checks
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10:11 AM, Sep 12 2026
Tight security at Bharat Mandapam
- Delhi Police have mobilised around 15,000 personnel to secure the venue and surrounding areas.
- Nearly 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed as part of the security arrangements.
- Specialised dog squads have been deployed at Bharat Mandapam to assist with security checks.
- India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13 in New Delhi.
- Security has been tightened at Bharat Mandapam and key locations in the national capital ahead of the gathering of BRICS leaders.
BRICS SUMMIT LIVE from New Delhi: The BRICS Summit is set to begin in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together leaders of the 11-member grouping and 10 partner countries. The summit is drawing particular attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to appear together in India for the first time in nearly a decade.
The three leaders were last seen together at the BRICS Summit in Goa in 2016.
KEY UPDATES
10:00 AM | PM Modi to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at Hyderabad House. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
10:30 AM | Modi-Anwar Ibrahim meeting
PM Modi will next meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two leaders are expected to discuss India-Malaysia relations and broader regional and economic cooperation.
11:00 AM | UAE Crown Prince to meet PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed. The meeting is expected to cover key areas of cooperation between India and the UAE.
11:30 AM | Vietnam talks on PM Modi's schedule
PM Modi will meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung at 11:30 AM. Discussions are likely to focus on strengthening ties between India and Vietnam and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
6:00-7:00 PM | PM Modi-Xi Jinping bilateral meeting expected
A much-awaited bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to take place at Bharat Mandapam in the evening. The meeting will be closely watched for developments in India-China relations.
China-India air connectivity set to improve
Ahead of Xi Jinping's India visit, China Southern Airlines has announced that it will resume regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21. The move will restore China Southern's India operations after a six-year gap.
The airline said the restart will take its South Asia network to more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes.
Air China had resumed Beijing-Delhi flights earlier
Direct air connectivity between India and China also improved earlier this year when Air China restarted its Beijing-New Delhi service.
China Eastern Airlines had earlier resumed its direct Kunming-Kolkata route on April 18.
The restoration of these services comes amid signs of a gradual improvement in direct connectivity between the two countries.
BRICS represents nearly half of the world's population
The expanded BRICS grouping now has 11 member countries, along with 10 partner countries taking part in the summit.
The 11 members account for around 49.5% of the world's population, meaning nearly one in every two people globally lives in a BRICS country.
In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, the combined economies of the BRICS members account for around 39% of the global economy.
FOLLOW OUR LIVE UPDATES
- With inputs from agencies
