World leaders and senior officials have arrived in New Delhi, India, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam.
The summit brings together the 11 BRICS member countries alongside 10 partner nations under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.”
According to Channels Television, the BRICS members are Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi early on Friday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected later in the day.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive on Saturday at about 12:15pm, marking his first visit to India in almost seven years.
Nigeria will be represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo have also arrived for the summit.
The UAE will be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira, will represent his country.
Other expected participants include United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
The summit is expected to bring together countries representing roughly 49 per cent of the world’s population and about 40 per cent of global GDP.
The opening programme will feature a closed-door session for BRICS members focused on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.”
Leaders are also scheduled to tour the Bharat Innovates Exhibition, participate in a joint tree-planting ceremony and attend a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Sunday, Modi will welcome leaders from BRICS partner countries and outreach invitees for a broader session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
The summit will also provide an opportunity for participating leaders to hold bilateral meetings on issues of mutual interest.