BRICS India 2026: Summit Highlights India’s Push for Cooperation, Trade and Emerging Technologies
New Delhi Summit Focuses on Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability and Expanded Global Partnerships
New Delhi, September 16, 2026: The BRICS India 2026 Summit has highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries across trade, investment, technology, energy, defence, critical minerals and other strategic areas.
A 10-page BRICS India 2026 visual briefing reviewed key developments from the summit, including the New Delhi Declaration, discussions at the BRICS Business Forum and a series of bilateral engagements involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi Declaration Emphasises Resilience and Cooperation
According to the briefing, the New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed BRICS’ focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, while supporting a more representative and inclusive global order.
The expanded grouping also sought to deepen cooperation across political, economic, financial and cultural spheres, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
From Business Dialogue to Strategic Technologies
At the BRICS Business Forum, Prime Minister Modi called for greater efforts to translate the collective strength of BRICS into practical global solutions.
The briefing highlighted India’s capabilities and opportunities in areas including:
- Start-ups
- Digital payments
- Semiconductors
- Critical minerals
- Technology and innovation
- Investment partnerships
The discussions also emphasised stronger cooperation between businesses across BRICS economies.
India-Russia Partnership Remains a Key Focus
Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi during the summit. According to the briefing, the two leaders reviewed progress in trade, infrastructure, energy, defence, space and other areas.
The leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
The briefing also highlighted an exchange involving the Russian translation of the Thirukkural, presented by Prime Minister Modi to President Putin.
India-China Dialogue Continues
Another prominent engagement was the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
The two leaders discussed the India-China relationship as well as regional and global issues. The briefing described the interaction as an opportunity to maintain dialogue between the two countries.
Engagement with Iran and West Asia
Prime Minister Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on developments in West Asia. The briefing noted India’s emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy and lasting regional peace.
Wider Diplomatic Outreach
The BRICS-related engagements also included meetings with leaders from several countries.
The briefing highlighted:
Malaysia: Discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim covered trade, investment, defence, semiconductors, the digital economy, energy, fintech, education and tourism. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Philippines: Prime Minister Modi and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reviewed cooperation in defence, space, railways, fintech, education, science and technology, with discussions focused on expanding the Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam: Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng reviewed bilateral ties and the progress of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with the engagement also linked to India’s Act East policy.
United Arab Emirates: Discussions with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focused on investment, defence, space, nuclear energy, technology and innovation. The briefing also highlighted a major USD 11.5 billion investment project in Odisha.
South Africa: Modi’s meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa covered the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership, including trade, critical minerals, infrastructure and food security.
The briefing additionally points to developing engagement with Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria, reflecting India’s wider diplomatic outreach during the BRICS period.
Technology and Critical Minerals Gain Prominence
The BRICS 2026 material places particular emphasis on areas that are increasingly important to India’s economic and technological strategy, including semiconductors, digital technologies, critical minerals, space, fintech and advanced manufacturing.
The Business Forum discussions specifically connected India’s growing capabilities in start-ups, digital payments, semiconductors and critical minerals with opportunities for stronger investment and innovation partnerships among BRICS economies.
A Broader Platform for Global South Cooperation
The summit’s discussions, as presented in the briefing, extended beyond traditional economic cooperation to encompass strategic sectors, technology, infrastructure, energy, defence, food security and people-to-people ties.
The New Delhi Declaration’s emphasis on a more representative and inclusive global order, combined with the expanded BRICS membership and India’s bilateral engagements, underlines the broad range of issues being addressed through the grouping.
The BRICS India 2026 visual briefing concludes by presenting the summit as a series of diplomatic and economic engagements involving India and partners across multiple regions.
By Suman Munshi
IBG NEWS
Source: BRICS India 2026 visual briefing supplied for this report.
