BRICS Summit 2026: Full schedule, Delhi airport preparations and key arrangements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host leaders from BRICS member countries, partner nations and outreach invitees in New Delhi as India prepares for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13.

The main leaders’ programme will unfold over two days, with the opening day reserved for BRICS member-country leaders and the second day bringing partner countries and outreach invitees into the proceedings. The wider BRICS programme, however, runs from September 11 to 13.

This year’s official theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with the discussions expected to focus on global governance, multilateralism, innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth.

What is on the agenda on September 12?

The first day begins with the arrival of BRICS leaders at 2 pm at Bharat Mandapam.

At 2.35 pm, the leaders will attend a closed session focused on multilateralism. The schedule lists the formal session as “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.

The programme then moves to the Bharat Innovates Exhibition at 4.25 pm, followed by the leaders’ family photograph at 5.05 pm.

A joint tree plantation is scheduled five minutes later at 5.10 pm.

The day will conclude with a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7.30 pm.

The listed events are being held at different locations within Bharat Mandapam, including the Summit Hall, Hall 14 and the venue’s outside lawns. Official event feeds are also expected to be made available through BRICS and Ministry of External Affairs platforms, as well as Doordarshan.

Partner nations and outreach invitees join on September 13

The second day will begin at 9.55 am with the arrival of leaders or heads of government and state from BRICS partner countries and outreach invitees.

A family photograph is scheduled for 10.35 am, followed by the open session at 10.50 am.

The session is titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” and will be held at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam.

The two-day leaders’ programme is part of a larger diplomatic gathering that will bring together BRICS members, partner countries and outreach invitees in the national capital.

Delhi airport expands international handling capacity

With a large number of international delegations expected in the capital, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has moved to increase its international passenger-handling capacity at Terminal 3.

Pier C at Terminal 3 is being progressively brought into international operations from the night of September 9 after the required security and operational checks and clearances. International arrivals will initially be handled through the pier, while both arrivals and departures are planned to operate from the evening of September 10.

The expansion is expected to raise Delhi airport’s annual international passenger-handling capacity to 31 million, representing an increase of about 50 per cent in international handling capacity at Terminal 3. The facility also provides greater flexibility for handling wide-body aircraft.

Dedicated immigration counters are being arranged for BRICS participants. Airport authorities have also made preparations for the landing and parking of aircraft as international flight movements are expected to increase during the event.

DIAL CEO Pradeep Panicker said the airport had carried out comprehensive preparations in coordination with security and operational agencies to deal with the expected rise in international traffic while maintaining safety, security and passenger experience.

He said the operationalisation of Pier C would strengthen Terminal 3’s international handling capability and provide additional flexibility during the global event.

Traffic and security preparations across Delhi

The influx of visiting leaders and delegations has also prompted extensive traffic and security preparations across the capital.

Delhi Traffic Police has identified controlled roads and diversion points for the movement of VIP convoys, with commuters being advised to plan journeys in advance and consider using the Metro. Traffic restrictions are expected to affect routes around the summit venue, hotels, railway stations and the airport.

Authorities have also conducted rehearsals for motorcades, with regulated traffic movement and diversions introduced on key routes as part of the preparations.

Traffic restrictions are expected to begin before the leaders’ main programme because foreign delegations are due to arrive from September 10, with arrangements continuing until their departures around September 14. Nearly 4,800 traffic personnel are expected to be deployed as part of the traffic management plan.

Delhi schools will also remain closed on September 11 as authorities make arrangements for the major international event.

With the capital preparing for the arrival of senior leaders and delegations, the combination of diplomatic engagements, enhanced airport operations, security measures and traffic restrictions is expected to make the BRICS gathering one of the largest international events hosted in New Delhi this year.