BRICS Summit 2026: Xi, Putin and Pezeshkian head to India as Iran, Ukraine wars test unity

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the 18th BRICS summit on September 12-13 in New Delhi. The summit comes amid wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and growing tensions within the expanded 11-member bloc. BRICS, an alliance of major emerging economies, aims to strengthen its global influence while navigating differences among its members.

The summit marks Xi's first visit to India since 2019, a significant step in the warming relationship between the two Asian neighbors following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. The Middle East conflict is expected to be a major challenge for BRICS, as Pezeshkian's visit to India will be his first as Iranian president, and the war may expose divisions within the group.

China has confirmed Xi's attendance, and Indian security chief Ajit Doval is visiting China for border talks. The summit will also discuss trade, investment, financial reform, and the global financial system, while India seeks to link central bank digital currencies across BRICS countries.