India, Sept. 10 -- New Delhi is preparing for one of its biggest diplomatic gatherings of 2026 as leaders of the BRICS grouping arrive for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. With India holding the rotating chair, the two-day meeting at Bharat Mandapam will bring major emerging economies together at a time when wars, trade tensions and geopolitical divisions are reshaping global relations.

The spotlight will be firmly on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit India for the summit. A meeting between the two leaders could become one of the most closely watched moments of the gathering as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties after years of tension following the 2020 border c...