Inside PM Modi’s Jam-Packed BRICS Schedule: 15 Bilateral Meetings in 3 Days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a packed three-day schedule during the BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, which concluded on Sunday, holding bilateral meetings with leaders from at least 15 countries, including the presidents of China, Russia and Iran.

Beyond the summit’s main proceedings, Modi chaired the BRICS Business Forum and played a key role in shaping the 45-page New Delhi Declaration, which was unanimously adopted by the BRICS members.

Day 1: Meetings With Putin, Pezeshkian

On September 11, Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at Bharat Mandapam for bilateral talks. The prime minister called for an end to the war in Ukraine and reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation in the economic, defence and energy sectors, along with issues concerning the movement of workers.

Later, Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at Bharat Mandapam, their second meeting in less than two weeks. Modi called for the West Asia conflict to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and stressed the importance of keeping navigation routes open and ensuring the safety of seafarers.

Modi also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who congratulated him on India assuming the BRICS chairmanship.

Day 2: Talks With Xi, Other World Leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Modi on Saturday during his first visit to India in nearly seven years.

During their bilateral meeting, India emphasised that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border remains the “essential basis” for taking forward relations between the two countries.

The two leaders also welcomed the “steady progress” in India-China ties during their talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Modi also held meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vietnam’s Le Minh Hung.

Day 3: Meetings With South Africa, Kazakhstan Presidents

On the final day of the summit, Modi continued his bilateral engagements with several world leaders.

He met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye.

His schedule also included engagements with the leadership of Uganda and Nigeria.

BRICS Expansion

BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia joined the grouping in 2024, followed by Indonesia in 2025.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam were added as BRICS partner countries last year.