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Lavrov arrives in India ahead of Brics Summit; Putin to arrive tonight | The Local News
India is set to host the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders while showcasing the country’s cultural heritage. NEW DELHI: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in India ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also scheduled to arrive in India later tonight. The 18th Brics Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping for discussions on economic cooperation, technology, energy and food security, global governance and major geopolitical issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit at Bharat Mandapam as India concludes its year-long Brics chairship and hold key meetings with Putin, Xi jinping and various other leaders. The summit comes amid looming concerns over Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East crisis, Strait of Hormuz shipping and continuing global trade tensions.
Leaders are expected to work towards a New Delhi Declaration, while the two-day programme will also include bilateral meetings, an exhibition visit, a gala dinner and cultural events. Key leaders in IndiaRussian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are among the key leaders expected in New Delhi.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also attend. PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
His meeting with Putin on Friday comes after their recent talks at the SCO summit, while his engagement with Pezeshkian will take place against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict. 15am on September 11.
15 pm on Friday. Then, according to sources cited by PTI, PM's meeting with Xi Jinping is scheduled for 6 pm on Saturday.
During the Modi-Xi talks, the two leaders are expected to review the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and discuss further steps to normalise bilateral ties, including expanding trade and investment, people familiar with the matter said. 25 pm on Saturday, September 12..
The Chinese president is expected to travel with a large delegation, with sources, cited by Reuers, earlier estimating around 400 officials, more than twice the number that accompanied him in 2019. His visit comes as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties after years of border tensions.
Read more: China confirms Xi Jinping's India visit for Brics summit on September 12-13, first trip in 7 yearsMeanwhile, foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Burundi, Gedion Timothewos and Edouard Bizimana, have already arrived in New Delhi on Thursday. Later, Brazil minister of foreign affairs Mauro Vieira also reached New Delhi.
Country's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will not be coming due to upcoming Brazil elections. Key agenda, topics in focusFood and energy security, healthcare, disaster resilience and critical supply chains will be among the key areas of discussion.
Leaders are also expected to discuss trade, investment, connectivity, cross-border payments, greater use of national currencies, MSME development, digital trade and artificial intelligence. Development finance, climate resilience, expansion of the New Development Bank and reforms of multilateral financial and political institutions are also on the agenda.
The Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East war and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz are expected to feature in discussions on global and regional developments. US tariff policies and wider changes in global trade will provide the broader economic backdrop.
Since Brics decisions are consensus-based, differences among members could make negotiations on the joint declaration challenging.' All set': PM ModiNew Delhi is gearing up for the two-day summit, with Bharat Mandapam decked up to welcome world leaders.
Modi shared a video of the venue on X on Thursday, ending with the message, “India is gearing up for BRICS 2026”. Sharing the video, he wrote: “All set for BRICS 2026!”
The video contains visuals of the Bharat Mandapam, the sprawling complex in central Delhi, which has been decked up for the Summit that is being held on September 12-13 under India's chairship. India is hosting the 18th Brics Summit as the grouping's 2026 chair, with leaders of member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees expected to participate.
ScheduleThe main leaders’ programme begins on Saturday, September 12. 35 pm, Brics member-country leaders will hold a closed-door session on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
05 pm. 30 pm.
Then, on Sunday, September 13, leaders of member countries, partner nations and outreach invitees will begin arriving at 9:55 am. 1,200-1,300 journalists expectedThe ministry of external affairs expects around 1,200-1,300 journalists to cover the summit, with Indian and foreign media expected to be roughly evenly represented.
An International Media Centre is being set up at Bharat Mandapam. The government plans to disseminate information through press releases, websites and social media platforms linked to India’s Brics presidency.
Cultural showcaseAround 160 artistes from India and other Brics countries will perform the “Brics Symphony” at PM Modi’s gala dinner on September 12. The programme will feature Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathak, along with traditional instruments and vocal performances.
A special Brics Friendship Mural is also being created at Bharat Mandapam by artists from member countries, inspired by “Sangam”, or confluence. Delhi all decked up with beefed up securityBRICS banners and posters have gone up across the New Delhi district, while prominent areas including Connaught Place and Khan Market have seen enhanced lighting at night.
Security agencies have also stepped up surveillance, with around 500 CCTV cameras deployed across the area, including some equipped with number plate recognition technology. Manish Kumar Agrawal, Special Commissioner of Police (Protective/Security Division), said, " We have made elaborate bandobast by ensuring minimum inconvenience to the public.
We have also issued advance advisories regarding traffic arrangements," Agrawal said. Delhi Police has put in place multi-layered security and quick-response arrangements to ensure the movement of visiting leaders and delegates.
Senior officers have also been directed to maintain strict vigilance and ensure smooth coordination during the summit. The Delhi Metro Museum at Supreme Court Metro station will remain closed from September 11 to 13 and reopen on September 15.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum and Amrit Udyan will also remain closed to the public from September 11 to 13. The Change of Guard ceremony scheduled for September 12 will not take place..
Several trains from New Delhi and nearby stations have been cancelled, diverted, rescheduled or short-terminated/originated during the period. Passengers have been advised to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or call 139 for the latest updates before travelling.
Read more: Operations at New Delhi railway station to be regulated; several trains cancelled, diverted - check full listMeanwhile, Delhi is likely to witness rain on both days, with the IMD forecasting light to moderate rainfall in parts of the city, even as temperatures remained above normal on Thursday. India chairs Brics for the fourth timeIndia assumed the Brics chairship on January 1, 2026, for the fourth time, after previous chairships in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
India’s theme for the year is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with “Humanity First” as its people-centric approach. During its chairship, India has held more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across more than 25 cities.
Brics originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia joined in 2024, while Indonesia became a member in 2025.
Ten countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, have joined as partner countries. 5 per cent of the world's population, around 40 per cent of global GDP and about 26 per cent of global trade, according to Indian government figures.
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