BRICS driving global economic growth – Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described BRICS as a key driver of global economic growth as the group’s 18th summit enters its second and final day in New Delhi.
Addressing the BRICS Outreach/BRICS+ session on Sunday, Putin said international interest in the group “continues to grow,” arguing that its commitment to an “independent and autonomous course” and international law appeals to countries around the world. He also said BRICS accounts for 49% of global GDP growth and that its potential for further development is “far from exhausted.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the same session, said the trust of Global South nations in BRICS has grown because “their voices are heard, their experiences are respected and solutions are crafted not just for them, but with them.”
Modi also announced that members had reached a consensus on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for preventing and responding to infectious diseases, as well as guidelines for integrating early-warning data in disaster management.
The expanded session brings together the leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees and representatives of international organizations, with discussions focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and inclusive global growth. Further bilateral meetings are also possible on the sidelines.
On Saturday, BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which calls for the reform of global institutions to give emerging markets and developing countries greater representation and condemns unilateral economic measures that violate international law. The document also calls for “maximum restraint” in the Middle East and stresses that dialogue and diplomacy are the only appropriate means of resolving international disputes.
Catch up on our live coverage of the first day here.
Follow the second and final day of the BRICS Summit on Sunday below.
- 07:30 GMT
During their contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping “actively offered” him their assistance in facilitating the settlement of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Modi and Xi have expressed “a keen interest” in finding a solution to the crisis, he told journalists.
“Putin welcomed this willingness and provided detailed information on the situation” on the ground to the Indian and the Chinese leaders, Peskov stressed.
- 07:15 GMT
Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed India after his participation in the BRICS summit in New Delhi. “China and India should be partners, not rivals,” Xi said during his first visit to the country in seven years.
⚡ Xi Waves Goodbye To India After BRICS 🇨🇳🇮🇳
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) September 13, 2026
“China and India should be partners, not rivals,” Xi said during his visit to New Delhi.#BRICS2026#BRICSIndia2026#IndiaBRICSChairshiphttps://t.co/zRRY6ktnwNpic.twitter.com/Qjv6MjZNKT - 06:43 GMT
Putin said BRICS provides the “main impetus” for global GDP growth, accounting for 49%.
“The potential for further development of BRICS is far from exhausted,” Putin said, describing the “complementarity of the economies of the member countries” as one of the group’s main untapped resources.
”Differences in their structure and specialization provide broad opportunities for practical cooperation,” he added.
- 06:34 GMT
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is also attending the BRICS summit, has said that he appreciates the “strong support” for WHO by the bloc’s leader and their commitment to promoting universal medical coverage and creating resilient health systems in their countries.
Prime Minister @narendramodi, thank you for the warm welcome to the 2026 #BRICS Delhi Summit. 🙏
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 13, 2026
I very much appreciate the BRICS Leaders’ strong support for @WHO and multilateralism, and the commitment, as reflected in the declaration, to universal health coverage, resilient… pic.twitter.com/YXv72HhwMM - 06:31 GMT
International interest in BRICS “continues to grow,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, pointing to the broad participation in the BRICS+ session in New Delhi.
“For many around the world, our fundamental values and ideals are attractive,” Putin said, citing a commitment to pursuing an “independent and autonomous course” and a desire for “collective solutions to problems based on international law and the key provisions of the UN Charter.”
Putin said BRICS+ meetings provide an opportunity for “direct and open dialogue” between the group’s full members, partner countries and other states and multilateral organizations interested in cooperation.
- 06:15 GMT
Modi said that the strength of BRICS lies in its “diversity and cooperation.”
“We may be rooted in different realities, but together we rise through cooperation and blossom for humanity. May our diversity remain our identity, our cooperation serve as our inspiration, and our progress benefit all of humanity,” he said.
According to Modi, the trust of the Global South nations in BRICS has grown in recent years because “their voices are heard, their experiences are respected and solutions are crafted not just for them, but with them.”
- 06:00 GMT
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on BRICS countries to strengthen their ability to respond to emerging crises, warning that growing global tensions and disruptions increasingly affect ordinary people.
Speaking at the BRICS+ session in New Delhi on Sunday, Modi pointed to pandemics, climate disasters and supply-chain disruptions, arguing that in an interconnected world, crises are no longer confined to individual regions.
“We have placed special emphasis on enhancing resilience within the BRICS group,” Modi said. “It is equally essential to identify challenges in a timely manner, remain prepared for them, and take immediate action.”
He announced that members had reached consensus on a “BRICS Integrated Early Warning System” for preventing and responding to infectious diseases and had formulated “Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines” for disaster management.
Sharing opening remarks during BRICS Session on ‘Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.’
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2026
https://t.co/xwKGoGfBjc - 05:55 GMT
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, confirmed the UAE’s willingness to host talks on settling the Ukraine conflict during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said.
He added that it would be “quite acceptable” to Moscow, for the Gulf nation to serve as a venue for peace negotiations.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said progress had been made toward scheduling another three-way meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the US following his and Jared Kushner’s visits to Moscow and Kiev last week. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said Moscow hopes the trilateral talks will resume “in the foreseeable future,” while noting that no concrete plans for the next meeting have yet been agreed upon.
