Leaders Expected at BRICS Summit 2026 Amid West Asia Tensions

The upcoming BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2026, in New Delhi, is set to be a significant event, with notable leaders from around the globe expected to attend. Among those anticipated are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This summit is particularly crucial as it unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia, especially between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reports indicate that the presence of these leaders could facilitate important bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enhancing diplomatic relations and cooperation among the nations involved.

If Xi Jinping makes the journey to India, it will be his first visit since October 2019, when he engaged in discussions with Modi during their second informal summit in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. The relationship between India and China has faced significant challenges since that time, particularly following incidents involving Chinese military incursions into the Ladakh region. However, in recent months, both leaders have engaged in various diplomatic dialogues aimed at stabilizing their relationship. Notably, they met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, where they reached a mutual understanding to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Their latest discussions occurred on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin last August, marking a continued effort to improve bilateral ties.