New Delhi has emerged as the centre of world diplomatic attention as the leaders of some of the world’s most influential countries gather in the Indian capital for the BRICS summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as the BRICS leaders gathered in New Delhi.
The presence of the three leaders alongside PM Modi has given the summit significant geopolitical importance. China, Russia and Iran are major members of the expanded BRICS grouping, and India has gradually begun to see the forum as a platform for international cooperation and development, trade and a more representative world order.
The presence of Xi Jinping in New Delhi is of great importance to India-China relations. And now that he is set to visit India, the two countries will have to deal at the highest political level after years of tension along the India-China border. Any interaction between Modi and Xi will be of international interest, especially for bilateral relations, stability of the region and trade and border peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s participation also underscores the importance of India-Russia relations within the BRICS framework. India and Russia have long-standing economic, defence and strategic ties. Moscow is one of the main partners for New Delhi, and discussions at the summit would touch on bilateral cooperation and broader geopolitical and economic development.
CHINESE PRESIDENT, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT & IRANIAN PRESIDENT — ALL IN NEW DELHI 🔥
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 12, 2026
PM Modi welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin & Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/6twzAXjHcu
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s presence adds another important dimension to the gathering. Iran’s participation in the group indicates the growing role of BRICS as the group brings together emerging economies and energy-producing countries. India and Iran have long been economically and politically connected, and they have been working together on the Chabahar port project.
The presence of Modi, Xi, Putin and Pezeshkian in the same city is also a reflection of the increasingly multipolar nature of international diplomacy. BRICS has grown beyond its initial membership and now comprises a wider group of emerging economies seeking greater influence in global institutions.
For India, hosting major BRICS leaders will provide another arena in which to shine a light on New Delhi as a major diplomatic hub and to advance its agenda for economic growth, development financing, technology, energy security and reforms in international institutions.
The summit also will draw attention because the situation is more general and geopolitical than ever. New challenges for emerging economies (conflicts, trade tensions, changing supply chains and competition among major powers) have arisen. BRICS talks could therefore focus on strengthening cooperation while reducing vulnerabilities created by global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
The images of PM Modi greeting Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi are likely to be among the most significant diplomatic visuals associated with the summit. The fact that they arrive in the same year and in the same place shows the increasing international role of India and the growing geopolitical weight of the BRICS platform.
As leaders speak in New Delhi now, bilateral talks, joint talks and the outcome of the summit will be the focus in turn. For India, the event is a major diplomatic opportunity to build relationships with world leaders and further India’s aim of a more balanced and representative world system and its perspective on global governance.
