Xi Jinping in Delhi for BRICS Summit, Eyes Global South

The Cliff News | 12 September 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit, marking his first visit to the Indian capital in seven years. The summit provides a crucial platform for discussions on deepening cooperation among Global South nations, with China presenting its vision for the bloc's future development.

Ahead of the high-level talks, China's state-run outlet, Global Times, underscored the growing significance of BRICS amidst global uncertainties. An editorial emphasized the bloc's foundational principles of openness, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation, and the pursuit of fairness and justice as key drivers of its strength and unique value.

Xi to Outline China's BRICS Priorities

President Xi is expected to engage with fellow leaders on the prevailing international situation, the trajectory of BRICS development, and strategies to bolster practical cooperation. China intends to put forth its initiatives aimed at expanding and refining collaboration within the grouping.

The Global Times highlighted President Xi's historical contributions since 2013, including the introduction of the "BRICS Plus" cooperation model. These initiatives are credited with accelerating BRICS cooperation, yielding significant results, and playing a pivotal role during critical junctures in the mechanism's evolution.

"The key lies in its commitment to openness and inclusiveness, its goal of win-win cooperation and its pursuit of fairness and justice. The more turbulent and transformative the world becomes, the more the unique value of BRICS cooperation comes into focus."

The editorial further detailed China's support for key BRICS institutions and initiatives. This includes the New Development Bank (NDB), the expansion of the BRICS membership, and cooperation in vital areas such as peacebuilding, innovation, green development, and people-to-people exchanges.

"From advocating the Brics Spirit of 'openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation' to proposing the concept of the 'Brics Plus' cooperation model; from championing the establishment of the New Development Bank in Shanghai to supporting the historic expansion of Brics and proposing to build a Brics committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges, China has actively worked to strengthen and expand Brics cooperation, continuously improved the mechanism in line with changing times and steadily enhanced its global influence, earning broad recognition from all sides," the editorial stated.

China's Upcoming BRICS Presidency

China is slated to assume the rotating presidency of BRICS in 2027. During its tenure, Beijing aims to fortify unity through multilateralism and harmonize development strategies among member states.

The nation plans to actively promote its Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. Areas identified for concrete outcomes include the digital economy, green development, artificial intelligence, poverty reduction, and agriculture.

The publication concluded with a forward-looking statement: "A 'Greater Brics' that is more united, efficient, pragmatic and committed to shouldering its responsibilities will surely open up new space for the common development of the Global South and inject greater certainty and positive energy into a world beset by turbulence and change."

India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit

India is hosting the 18th BRICS summit under the overarching theme of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The summit's agenda is primarily focused on fostering development, promoting sustainability, driving innovation, and reinforcing the grouping's role as a constructive forum for the Global South.

The arrival of President Xi in Delhi signifies a key moment for these discussions, as leaders convene to address shared challenges and opportunities for collective growth and global impact.