BRICS leaders are gathering at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, for the second day of the summit, with discussions on global governance, multilateral institutions and closer cooperation among member countries on the agenda.

The leaders are scheduled to attend a closed-door session focused on making global governance more inclusive and strengthening multilateralism. The programme also includes a visit to the Bharat Innovates Exhibition, a group photograph and a joint tree-planting ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the visiting leaders at a gala dinner later in the evening, scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The second day of the summit follows a series of important developments on Friday. Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to further strengthen India-Russia relations, while BRICS finance ministers and central bank chiefs called for greater reforms in global development financial institutions.

Xi Jinping’s India visit draws attention

Among the visiting leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s presence has emerged as one of the biggest talking points of the summit.

Xi arrived in New Delhi for his first India visit in seven years. He was received at Palam Airport by Union Minister Jitin Prasada and given a traditional welcome featuring folk performances from Manipur and Assam.

His visit carries particular significance because it comes six years after the Galwan Valley clash of 2020, which severely damaged relations between India and China.

The confrontation along the Line of Actual Control marked one of the deadliest episodes in decades between the two countries. India lost 20 soldiers, including a commanding officer, while China officially acknowledged four fatalities. Independent assessments have suggested that the Chinese casualties may have been higher.

The clash triggered a prolonged military and diplomatic standoff along the border and led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral ties.

Modi-Xi meeting in focus

The expected meeting between Modi and Xi in New Delhi is therefore being closely watched, particularly for signals on the future direction of India-China relations.

The two countries have spent years working through the fallout of the 2020 confrontation. Discussions have taken place across multiple levels, involving military commanders as well as senior diplomatic and security officials.

The engagement has gradually helped ease some tensions, although significant differences remain between New Delhi and Beijing.

Xi’s visit now provides an opportunity for the two leaders to assess the progress made in stabilising ties and discuss the broader relationship.

For India, the BRICS platform also offers a wider setting for engagement with China and other major emerging economies at a time when global institutions are facing pressure for reform.

A diplomatic moment for New Delhi

The summit comes as India seeks to project itself as an important voice in discussions on global economic governance and multilateral cooperation.

The presence of leaders from major emerging economies has also placed New Delhi at the centre of international diplomatic activity.

However, while the BRICS summit represents an important moment for India's global diplomatic outreach, Xi's return to the country has added a distinct strategic dimension to the event.

His presence, followed by the expected bilateral engagement with Modi, makes India-China ties one of the most closely watched aspects of the summit.

The meeting will be significant not only for what the two leaders discuss, but also for the signals it sends about whether the gradual improvement in ties can translate into a more stable relationship after years of tension.