BRICS Day 1: New Delhi Declaration Adopted, Key Modi-Xi Talks

Synopsis

The BRICS summit is under the motto, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” On the sidelines of the summit, Modi-Xi interactions marked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to India since 2019. Moreover, BRICS nations have unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration. 2026. Thereby, BRICS member nations participated in a joint tree plantation ceremony on the lawns of Bharat Mandapam. To conclude Day 1, PM Modi hosted the BRICS Gala dinner with 160 artists.

18th BRICS Summit: Local Currencies and Institutional Reforms Take Centre Stage

18th Edition of the BRICS Summit is being hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India. Under the motto “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The sessions focused primarily on navigating global supply chain shocks and reforming multilateral governance, as well as the idea of multilateralism and inclusivity.

The talks clarified that while a single "BRICS Currency" was not on the table, expansion of bilateral local-currency trade settlements and New Development Bank (NDB) local financing took centre stage.

BRICS Pushes Global Reforms amid Crucial Modi-Xi Talks

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi-Xi interactions marked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to India since 2019. Day 1 saw critical bilateral optics and pull-aside conversations aimed at stabilising Line of Actual Control (LAC) protocols and commercial relations.

With newly integrated members like Iran and the UAE seated at the table, diplomatic discussions balanced divergent security postures. The resulting statements addressed regional stability, humanitarian corridors in Gaza, and de-escalation across West Asia.

Aiming to grant emerging and developing economies greater voting power and institutional authority in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and WTO modernisation.

BRICS Adopts New Delhi Declaration

BRICS nations have unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed to adopt the declaration at the end of the session on the first day of the summit.

In his closing remarks, PM Modi noted that the New Delhi Declaration adopted today provides a clear direction for the shared resolve of the member countries. He added that it is now their shared responsibility to translate these resolutions into tangible results.

He added that the gap between decisions and their outcomes must be bridged through partnership and collective action. PM Modi also expressed his gratitude to the leaders for their valuable contributions, constructive spirit and commitment as the BRICS Chair. To mark the 20 years of BRICS, two commemorative postage stamps were also released by the leaders of the member countries on this occasion.

One Leader, One Tree: Tree Planting Ceremony

The symbolic green initiative coincided with the theme “One Leader, One Tree”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other heads of delegation from BRICS member nations participated in a joint tree plantation ceremony on the lawns of Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12, 2026.

Modi Hosts BRICS Gala Dinner; Chinese President Xi Absent

PM Modi hosts BRICS gala dinner. 160 artists unite for the BRICS symphony performance, “One Rhythm, Many Cultures”, bringing together musicians from BRICS members and partner countries in a collaborative musical performance. Later that evening, Xi did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Modi for leaders attending the BRICS Summit, participating countries and international organisations.

Urban “Beautification” Controversy

Alongside the BRICS Summit, it was observed that authorities have shielded informal settlements like Vasant Vihar to hide them from the visiting delegates. With the blue-and-white barricades obscuring informal settlements along Mathura Road and Ring Road, street vendors were displaced, and temporary closures were enforced throughout New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) zones.