Bilateral Talks Led by PM Modi at BRICS Summit 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a series of bilateral meetings on the final day of the BRICS Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. These discussions included key figures such as Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Modi's meetings aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between India and these nations.

On the second day of the summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the significance of collaborations among BRICS nations. He outlined that the core focus of India's presidency would centre around resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. “With the support of BRICS members, we have transformed our shared vision into a win-win collaboration,” Modi stated during his address.

The summit brought together a diverse range of leaders from an expanded BRICS membership, which now includes 11 full members, among them Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This grouping is notable for comprising approximately 49.5% of the world's population and nearly 40% of global GDP.

In addition to talks with individual leaders, the summit also saw the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026, a comprehensive 140-point document covering critical global issues such as governance, terrorism, climate change, and trade. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised India’s efforts in hosting the summit and successfully facilitating discussions among the member states.

Notably, Modi and President Marcos discussed advancements in the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, with areas of focus including defence cooperation, trade, and infrastructure development. Modi also acknowledged the Philippines' role as the current ASEAN chair during their discussions. The Prime Minister shared his sentiments on social media, expressing pleasure in meeting President Marcos and celebrating his birthday.

Aside from the high-profile meetings, the gala dinner's all-vegetarian menu became a point of contention among political parties in India, highlighting the diverse culinary culture of the nation. The Indian National Congress party raised concerns over the dinner menu, remarking that a large portion of the Indian population consumes non-vegetarian food. In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended their choice as an embodiment of Indian values.

Other notable interactions included Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's meetings with various foreign diplomats, discussing regional and global developments, further underscoring India's active role on the international stage. The continuous dialogues between nations at the summit reflect efforts to foster cooperation in various sectors amidst global challenges.

As the summit concluded, it illustrated India's growing influence in international diplomacy, showcasing its capabilities as a host and facilitator of major global discussions. The BRICS Summit 2026 is perceived as a considerable achievement for India, solidifying its position in global governance discussions.