BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates: Modi-Xi bilateral talk concludes - The Hindu

**BRICS Summit 2026 Concludes Modi‑Xi Bilateral Talks Amid India’s Chairmanship Push on MSME Development**

New Delhi hosted the 2026 BRICS summit from September 9‑11, marking the bloc’s first full‑scale gathering under India’s rotating chairmanship. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India converged on the capital for a three‑day programme that combined high‑level diplomatic engagements with thematic sessions on trade, technology and sustainable development. The summit opened with a colorful reception in front of the historic Rameswaram‑inspired backdrop, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the heads of state and underscored India’s commitment to deepening South‑South cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping lingered at the site, taking a close look at the Tamil cultural motifs, a gesture highlighted by the Times of India as a “Tamil link at BRICS.”

During the summit, Modi and Xi concluded a bilateral dialogue that lasted several hours, focusing on issues ranging from energy security to regional connectivity. Both leaders affirmed the importance of “mutual respect and non‑interference,” while also discussing practical avenues for expanding trade, especially in the area of micro‑, small‑ and medium‑enterprises (MSMEs). Leveraging its chairmanship, India announced a set of initiatives aimed at bolstering MSME growth across the BRICS economies, including a joint fund for technology transfer, streamlined customs procedures, and a digital platform for cross‑border procurement. The New Delhi Declaration, released at the close of the summit, formally condemned ongoing wars and unilateral tariff hikes, positioning the bloc as a collective voice for free trade and peace.

In the political arena, BRICS members reached a consensus on the volatile situation in West Asia despite divergent positions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The declaration called for “maximum restraint” by all parties and urged diplomatic dialogue to de‑escalate tensions. While the Iran‑UAE divide persisted, the bloc’s ability to produce a unified statement demonstrated a growing diplomatic maturity. Analysts noted that the summit’s outcomes—particularly the emphasis on MSME development and the cohesive stance on West Asian stability—could reshape the economic and geopolitical influence of BRICS in the coming years.

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