BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE: The BRICS Summit 2026 officially commenced today, Saturday, September 12, 2026. Countries that are shaping the future are in attendance, with the United States and Europe closely observing. Alongside India, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also present. Bilateral discussions are planned between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping. On Friday, PM Modi and President Putin had their own discussions. Additionally, PM Modi intends to meet with leaders from other nations.
Before this, the BRICS Business Forum took place on September 11, featuring speakers such as Petr Sizov, Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in India, Mahmoud Asad Samani from the Iran Insurers Syndicate, Alexander Kokov, Founder and CEO of Russia’s GSBI Ltd., and Anindya Novanyan Bakri, CEO of the Bakri Group. The conversation revolved around the BRICS leaders’ speeches and the rise in insurance premiums due to instability in the Strait of Hormuz.
Petr Sizov, the press secretary of the Russian Embassy in India, remarked, “The BRICS Forum was merely a preliminary event. It has become a wonderful tradition, but the main activities will certainly kick off on Saturday. We are eager to see how India, as the host, will manage Saturday’s sessions.” On the topic of India-Russia bilateral relations, the press secretary stated, “We are delighted to see trade expanding. As you know, the number of agreements is also on the rise. This marks the second meeting between our two leaders in the past two weeks. The gathering in Bishkek was very productive, and expectations are high.” Addressing the rise in insurance premiums due to the instability in the Strait of Hormuz, Mahmoud Asad Samani from the Iran Insurers Syndicate commented, “Indeed, such events heighten the risk for vessels navigating through the sea and the Strait of Hormuz, as you pointed out. As an insurance professional, I can confirm that the risk is currently elevated. Hence, increased premiums are essential.”
New warmth in India-China relations
Relations between India and China are showing signs of steady improvement. On Friday, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong announced that the two countries are preparing for a bilateral meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chinese ambassador posted on the social media platform X, writing, “China and India are preparing for a bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi. This will be the third consecutive year that the two leaders will meet, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.” Xu Feihong further stated that China will work with India to implement the strategic directions of the two leaders, view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance dialogue and cooperation, properly resolve differences, and maintain friendship as good neighbors and partners who contribute to each other’s success.
PM Modi meets PM of Vietnam
Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. The two leaders reviewed the progress made in India-Vietnam relations, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The two leaders discussed the progress made since the bilateral relationship was elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” during the visit of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam to India in May 2026. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the India-Vietnam partnership.