The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit begins in New Delhi today, September 12, bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping and senior representatives from partner and invited countries for two days of high-level discussions on global governance, multilateralism, trade, investment, technology, food and energy security, health, disaster resilience and critical supply chains.

The summit, being held on September 12 and 13, will also focus on major global and regional developments, including geopolitical conflicts and disruptions to international trade and energy routes.

The first day of the summit begins with a closed-door meeting of BRICS member countries at 2.35 pm under the theme “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”. Leaders will later visit the Bharat Innovates Exhibition at 4.25 pm, followed by the official family photograph and a joint tree-planting ceremony at 5.05 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a gala dinner for the participating leaders at 7.30 pm.

On Sunday, September 13, leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees, will take part in the main open session beginning at 10.50 am. The session is titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”. The summit will conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

Delhi under tight security

Delhi has been placed under a multilayered security arrangement as a large number of foreign leaders and senior dignitaries gather in the capital.

Around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed, while about 500 CCTV cameras are being used for round-the-clock surveillance across key locations.

Security has been tightened around the diplomatic enclave and hotels where visiting leaders are staying. China, Russia and Iran have been allotted separate hotels, with security personnel from the respective countries also deployed ahead of the visits of their presidents.

The security restrictions also cover the airspace around Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has restricted certain flying activities across seven northern states, while light and micro-light aircraft, UAVs and similar aerial vehicles have been prohibited within a 300-km radius of Delhi for 52 hours from Friday.

Traffic restrictions and changes in public movement are also expected around key routes and venues. Train services at New Delhi railway station are being regulated during the summit period, with some services cancelled, diverted, rescheduled or otherwise regulated.

Around 1,200-1,300 journalists are expected to cover the summit, reflecting the international attention surrounding the gathering. Delhi has also been decorated for the event, with Bharat Mandapam serving as the main venue.

Who has arrived in Delhi

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at AFS Palam at 1.15 am on September 11 and was among the first major heads of state to reach Delhi.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived at 9.05 am on September 11, while Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at 9 pm.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived at AFS Palam at 2 pm, followed by Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima at 2.45 pm.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived at 5.35 pm, while UAE Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived at 5.50 pm.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived at 6.40 pm, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at 7.30 pm and Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye at 8.45 pm.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived at 10 pm, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived at 1.25 pm.

Other senior figures who arrived on September 11 included WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, AIIB President Zou Jiayi, Uruguay Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Key arrivals scheduled for today

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive at AFS Palam at 12.25 pm today, September 12. His visit marks his first trip to India in seven years. He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6 pm.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is scheduled to arrive at 11.05 am at T3, IGI Airport.

Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani is scheduled to arrive at 3.30 pm at T3, IGI Airport.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is scheduled to arrive at AFS Palam at 4.10 pm.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is scheduled to arrive at AFS Palam at 9 pm.

Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov arrived at T3, IGI Airport at 5.35 am today.

The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in global trade and energy markets, making the discussions in New Delhi particularly significant for the expanded BRICS grouping.

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