New Delhi became the focal point of global diplomacy on Thursday as it hosted the 2026 BRICS summit, marking the first time the bloc convened with eleven member nations. The expanded roster now includes Argentina, Egypt and Saudi Arabia alongside the original five—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—bringing the collective representation to roughly 47% of the world’s population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the summit with a speech that highlighted the need for a more inclusive multilateral order. He urged the group to deepen cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure and supply‑chain resilience, positioning India as a bridge between the Global South and established economic powers.
The agenda featured a series of high‑level meetings on trade facilitation, a joint declaration on climate finance, and negotiations on a new development bank charter. Notably, the finance ministers of the eleven nations agreed to explore a coordinated approach to stabilise emerging‑market currencies, a move that could reshape global capital flows.
Analysts note that the inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt signals a strategic pivot toward the Middle East and North Africa, regions where BRICS seeks to expand its influence. Meanwhile, Argentina’s participation reflects the bloc’s outreach to Latin America, potentially creating a counterweight to Western trade blocs.
Security arrangements were tight, with New Delhi deploying additional paramilitary units, enacting temporary Delhi airspace and security restrictions, and deploying advanced surveillance drones around the venue at the International Convention Centre. The summit concludes on Sunday, after which a joint communiqué is expected to outline concrete steps for deeper economic integration.
