Modi-Xi-Putin Chemistry On Display At BRICS: What Their Group Photos Signal

The 18th BRICS Summit, which concluded in New Delhi on Sunday, projected a strong message of unity among emerging powers, with leaders from 11 countries gathering under India’s 2026 chairship.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two-day summit produced several striking images of camaraderie among world leaders. Handshakes, smiles and informal interactions between Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, among others, offered a glimpse of the diplomatic engagement unfolding in Delhi.

Modi shared warm moments with Putin as the Russian president arrived in the Indian capital for the summit. India extended a similar welcome to Xi, who visited the country after seven years, as New Delhi and Beijing seek to stabilise ties following years of tensions over their border.

The Modi-Xi-Putin interaction was their second such encounter this year after the three leaders met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in August. Their meeting in Bishkek had drawn a sharp response from US President Donald Trump, who posted a sarcastic remark on the convergence of the three countries.

“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together,” Trump had written.

Trump’s critics have linked India’s closer engagement with Russia and China to Washington’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports.

Modi With Putin

Modi and Putin shared several warm moments during the BRICS Summit. The two leaders were seen greeting each other, holding hands and exchanging smiles, underlining their longstanding personal rapport.

The two leaders also held bilateral talks covering political and economic cooperation, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties, besides India-Russia cooperation within BRICS.

Their discussions also covered major regional and global developments, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.

After their meeting, Modi and Putin travelled together by car to Bharat Mandapam, further highlighting the close relationship between the two leaders.

Modi also gifted Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, presenting the classical Tamil text as a symbol of cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Russia.

Modi With Xi

Modi was also seen sharing friendly moments with Xi as the BRICS Summit got underway. Images showed the Indian, Chinese and Russian leaders greeting each other, smiling and standing together.

The interaction carried particular significance given the difficult phase in India-China relations in recent years. Tensions escalated sharply following the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.

Since then, the two sides have maintained military and diplomatic engagement aimed at resolving outstanding border issues and rebuilding bilateral ties.

The latest Modi-Xi interaction reflected the broader effort by both countries to move towards a more stable relationship while continuing to manage their differences.

Modi With Other BRICS Leaders

Modi was also seen walking alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin and Xi — an image that underscored the diverse geopolitical interests represented at the BRICS summit.

India has continued to advocate dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, including the ongoing confrontation involving Iran and the United States, while maintaining relations with both sides.

Modi separately met Pezeshkian, with discussions covering India-Iran bilateral relations, the West Asia conflict and the growing influence of the Global South.

The prime minister also interacted with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

The summit brought together countries with competing regional interests, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, making consensus-building among the expanded BRICS grouping a significant diplomatic challenge.

BRICS And The West

BRICS has evolved into an important platform for emerging economies to coordinate on issues ranging from trade, finance and technology to development and global governance.

The grouping’s expansion has also strengthened its position as a major forum outside the traditional Western-led international order. Its members have increasingly pushed for greater representation of developing countries in global institutions and a larger role for the Global South.

The presence of Modi, Xi and Putin together in Delhi highlighted BRICS’ ability to bring major emerging powers to the same table despite their political, economic and strategic differences.

India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13 as part of its 2026 chairship, with the grouping entering its third decade.

The theme of India’s BRICS presidency was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”