Modi, Putin and Xi project unity at BRICS summit as Delhi declaration backs anti-terror stand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared a picture of himself holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, in a symbolic display of unity among three major Asian powers. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indonesian Prime Minister Prabowo Subianto were also featured in the photographs.

"BRICS Summit 2026 gets underway in Delhi," Modi wrote in a post on Instagram.

The 18th BRICS summit began in the national capital on Saturday afternoon, with Modi calling for a greater role for the Global South in shaping international decisions. He said India was ready to provide policymakers from Global South countries with the expertise and training required to participate more effectively in global discussions.

BRICS adopts Delhi declaration after intense negotiations

A key outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Delhi declaration, which came after negotiations continued until the early hours of Saturday. The agreement reflected consensus among the participating leaders despite differences over several contentious global and regional issues.

The declaration included a condemnation of terrorism and unilateral acts of war. BRICS leaders also voiced concern over the escalating conflict in West Asia and called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes.

"The meeting has been productive and positive. No member has expressed any disagreement," Modi said.

The declaration also condemned the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated the bloc's commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, according to reports on the summit's outcome.

Modi holds key talks with Putin, Xi

Putin arrived in Delhi early Friday, while Xi reached the national capital on Saturday ahead of the summit. The meeting of Modi, Putin and Xi has drawn particular attention, with the three leaders meeting together for the third time in three years.

Modi had already held a bilateral meeting with Putin on Friday evening. Their discussions covered cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also discussed India's engagement with Russia within BRICS and reviewed broader bilateral cooperation.

Regional conflicts were also on the agenda, including the war in the Middle East and the conflict in the Black Sea region. Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for resolving such disputes.

The Prime Minister's expected bilateral meeting with Xi is set to cover a range of issues, including the situation along the Line of Actual Control, trade, investment and wider economic engagement. The border question is likely to remain an important element of the discussions as New Delhi and Beijing seek to build on the recent stabilisation in bilateral ties.

Xi flags West Asia conflict, calls for global cooperation

In his address to the BRICS leaders, Xi said the war in the Middle East was causing serious losses and did not serve the common interests of the international community.

The Chinese president has also called on BRICS members to strengthen cooperation on global governance and promote a greater role for emerging economies in international decision-making.

The summit comes as BRICS seeks to strengthen its position as a voice for the Global South amid conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, disputes over trade and growing competition among major powers. The expanded grouping is also pushing for reforms to global institutions and a more multipolar international order.