Andalib Akhter
Dignitaries from various member countries arrived in New Delhi for BRICS Summit 2026. Iranian Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived today. He was received by the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur. In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India and Iran share civilizational ties, marked by robust cultural and people-to-people bonds. He added that as BRICS partners, the two countries are working to contribute to shared progress and prosperity.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, have arrived in India ahead of the BRICS Summit. Minister of State for External Affairs Ministry Kirti Vardhan Singh received them at the airport.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit. He was warmly received at the airport by the Minister of State (MoS) Sanjay Seth.
“Warmly welcome the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He was received by MoS Sanjay Seth at the airport. India and Egypt share deep bonds of friendship, as we work together to build a stronger BRICS partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on X.
As BRICS chair in 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing together leaders of BRICS members, partner countries and outreach invitees.
BRICS comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. BRICS partner countries are: Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
India and Malaysia share close and longstanding ties, marked by growing cooperation across trade, investment, digital economy, defence and security. The visit builds on the momentum of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia earlier this year.
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexey Overchuk also arrived in the national capital this evening.
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali arrived in New Delhi this evening. They were received by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth at the airport.
India and Egypt share deep bonds of friendship. Meanwhile, India and Ethiopia share a Strategic Partnership and are working together to advance cooperation among BRICS countries.
Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima has also arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit. Mr Jaiswal said that India and Nigeria share close and longstanding ties, underpinned by strong people-to-people connections. He added the visit will further strengthen this multifaceted partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Guterres congratulated PM Modi on India’s BRICS Chairship for the fourth time during the meeting.
The two leaders underscored the importance of multipolarity and stressed the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to make them more representative of contemporary global realities.
Conflicts, maritime security and global challenges discussed
PM Modi and Guterres held discussions on a range of international issues, including ongoing conflicts and freedom of navigation.
They also exchanged views on sustainable development, human-centric artificial intelligence, progress in renewable energy and global food security.