PM Modi holds hands with Putin and Xi: 7 unmissable photos from BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi - The Indian Express

The 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi delivered a wide-ranging joint declaration alongside a series of striking visual moments. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm camaraderie with world leaders to high-stakes bilateral meetings and cultural engagements on the sidelines, these photographs capture the key highlights of the expanded BRICS gathering at Bharat Mandapam.

In one of the most talked-about moments from Day 1 of the summit, PM Narendra Modi shared a warm gesture with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a striking display of diplomatic unity, PM Modi held hands with both Xi and Putin as the summit kicked off in New Delhi.

In another widely shared photograph, world leaders walked together during the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam. PM Modi led the delegation, flanked by President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with President Vladimir Putin following closely behind.

On the sidelines of the Delhi summit, PM Modi held a key bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to review the full spectrum of India-China relations. PM Modi also extended India’s best wishes to China as Beijing prepares to assume the rotating BRICS Presidency next year.

Highlighting green diplomacy and shared heritage, PM Modi and fellow BRICS leaders planted a banyan tree in New Delhi. PM Modi noted that the banyan tree symbolises the grouping’s “deep roots, growing strength, and coming together for a shared future.”

President Droupadi Murmu met her Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit. Reiterating India’s commitment to regional peace, President Murmu emphasised resolving international conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

Separately, Pezeshkian met with UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The two sides have seen strained relation since the start of the West Asia conflict as Tehran’s retaliatory strikes have hit locations in the UAE, including an oil facility and air base.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Annapurna Devi hosted Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of President Masoud Pezeshkian, at the BRICS Bazaar inside the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi. The visit showcased traditional art, handlooms, and cultural heritage from across member and partner nations.

The opening day concluded with the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026. Emphasising that the Global South must become a key “rule-shaper” in world affairs, PM Modi highlighted that the declaration reflects a partnership wider in reach, stronger in purpose, and committed to sustainable development.

Global South must become a rule-shaper, PM Modi added in his address. The first day of the BRICS Summit 2026 concluded with the adoption of the declaration on Saturday.