BRICS Summit 2026 Day 1 in Pictures: Modi, Putin, Pezeshkian, Ramaphosa and global leaders gather in Delhi

New Delhi: The first day of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi saw the arrival of several world leaders, senior representatives and heads of international institutions. The arrivals set the stage for discussions on global governance, economic cooperation and key priorities of the Global South.

As India hosted the summit under its 2026 BRICS chairship, leaders and representatives from Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and Nigeria arrived in the national capital, alongside senior officials from international institutions and the United Nations.

The Brazilian foreign affairs minister, Mauro Vieira, was among the first senior dignitaries to arrive for the summit. India highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to advancing cooperation across the Global South.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, also arrived in New Delhi and was received at the airport by minister of state, KV Singh. India described the relationship with Russia as a multifaceted and longstanding partnership anchored in the special and privileged strategic partnership.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, arrived in the capital and was received by minister of state, Jayant Chaudhary. India said the two countries share historic ties anchored in a strategic partnership and a commitment to strengthening cooperation among BRICS partners and the Global South.

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, also arrived for the summit and was received by minister of state, Shantanu Thakur. India highlighted the civilizational, cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Iran and their cooperation as BRICS partners.

The Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, were among the other leaders arriving in New Delhi. India described its relationship with Egypt as being based on deep bonds of friendship, while ties with Ethiopia are anchored in a strategic partnership.

The summit also saw the participation of Abu Dhabi crown prince, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was received by minister of state, KV Singh at the airport. His visit is expected to provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with trade and energy security remaining key areas of cooperation.

The Malaysia prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, also landed in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit. He was received by KV Singh at the airport, with the MEA highlighting India and Malaysia’s growing cooperation in trade, investment, digital economy, defence and security.

African and Latin American representation

Ugandan vice-president, Jessica Alupo, arrived in New Delhi and was received by minister of state, Jayant Chaudhary. India said its relationship with Uganda is rooted in shared history and growing cooperation in bilateral and multilateral forums.

Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima, was welcomed by minister of state, Shantanu Thakur, at the airport. India said his participation would further strengthen the close and longstanding partnership between the two countries.

Representing the community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Uruguay’s foreign minister, Mario Lubetkin, was also in New Delhi for the summit. India said its partnership with CELAC focuses on boosting trade, technology sharing and cooperation across the Global South.

The United Nations secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, arrived in New Delhi for the summit and was received by minister of state, Sukanta Majumdar. India said his participation reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism and constructive dialogue in promoting peace, development and international cooperation.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president, Zou Jiayi, also arrived for the summit, with India highlighting the importance of strengthening partnerships for sustainable development and expanding opportunities for emerging economies.

The New Development Bank was represented by its president, Dilma Rousseff, whose participation, according to India, reaffirmed the importance of development partnerships and sustainable and inclusive growth across the Global South.

Modi meets Putin, discusses trade, energy and defence

A major development on Day 1 was prime minister, Narendra Modi, meeting with Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in New Delhi. Modi said the two leaders discussed closer trade ties, including the implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030. They also discussed cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and culture.

The meeting came less than two weeks after Modi and Putin had met in Bishkek, highlighting the continued high-level engagement between the two countries. The leaders also discussed India’s efforts during its BRICS presidency aimed at furthering the welfare of the planet.

According to ministry of external affairs, Modi and Putin discussed regional and global issues, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. Modi said dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward to resolve conflicts and added that India is ready to support peace efforts.

The Modi-Putin meeting also had a cultural element, with Modi presenting Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work by poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Modi said the translation would carry Thiruvalluvar’s timeless wisdom across languages and borders.

Day 1 also featured ‘Sangam, A confluence of cultures’, a large public art project created by artists from nine countries. Inspired by the Indian idea of Sangam, where rivers from different places come together, the artwork brings together artists and cultures from across BRICS to celebrate friendship and unity in diversity.

The project reflects India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. The arrival of key leaders and international representatives, along with the Modi-Putin meeting, marked a significant opening day for the 18th BRICS Summit and highlighted India’s focus on multilateral cooperation and the Global South.

Modi meets Pezeshkian

Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed strengthening India-Iran ties and cooperation in multilateral forums. The meeting came after both leaders participated in the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of Pezeshkian’s push for stronger economic cooperation within BRICS. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum, the Iranian president called for greater use of national currencies in trade among member countries and said the New Development Bank should play a larger role in financing infrastructure and energy projects through local-currency credit lines and guarantee mechanisms. He also called for BRICS to move from potential cooperation towards more operational economic partnerships.

India and Iran have longstanding civilizational, cultural and people-to-people ties, with both countries also working together through platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two sides to further coordinate on bilateral and multilateral priorities as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship.