Brics 2026: Trump shadow looms large over Delhi summit as Modi hosts Putin and Xi

The event has seen high-profile diplomatic interactions, such as a car ride between PM Modi and President Putin and a hug involving President Pezeshkian. According to reports from NDTV and The Hindu, the city of Delhi underwent significant preparations for the event, with Central Delhi being decked up and security measures tightened to ensure the safety of the visiting heads of state. Coverage from Al Jazeera, AP News, and WRAL emphasizes that the summit takes place against a backdrop of ongoing wars and escalating tensions with the United States. These outlets highlight a central theme of whether the bloc is capable of truly challenging a Western-dominated world order. Bloomberg.com has specifically raised questions regarding the bloc's expanding size and its actual capacity to challenge the US.

Additionally, Foreign Policy has analyzed the internal dynamics of the group, questioning which nation currently holds the dominant influence or 'crown' within the alliance. Context for the summit is provided by PM Modi, who stated that the member nations represent 40% of global GDP. The Times of India reports that the summit's agenda includes critical discussions on the use of local currencies, the future of global trade, and the impact of US sanctions. These discussions are framed as a direct message to Donald Trump. Furthermore, Goyal has called for the removal of barriers to allow for the easier movement of professionals across borders, indicating an economic push toward deeper integration among the member states.

Future developments to watch involve the concrete takeaways from the summit, which Al Jazeera is currently tracking. The bloc's ability to implement shifts in global trade and its response to US sanctions will be primary points of interest. Observers will be monitoring how the commitments made in Delhi translate into policy, particularly regarding the professional mobility proposed by Goyal and the financial strategies discussed by Modi, Putin, and Pezeshkian to mitigate the influence of Western economic pressure.