18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Security was tightened in New Delhi as the 18th BRICS Summit began on Saturday, September 12, with nearly 30,000 security personnel deployed across the Indian capital.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the deployment included about 15,000 police officers as authorities prepared for the arrival of leaders and senior officials from BRICS member and partner countries.
Authorities also introduced traffic and security measures across the city. Government offices and schools in Delhi were shut on Friday, while 35 major routes were barricaded to manage movement.
Major hotels hosting visiting leaders were placed under strict surveillance, while anti-drone systems were deployed around sensitive locations to prevent unauthorised drone activity.
The summit brought together leaders and representatives from BRICS member countries, partner countries and invited nations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, marking his first visit to India in almost seven years. Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were also among the leaders attending the summit.
Nigeria was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday to lead the Nigerian delegation on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The 18th BRICS Summit was held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
According to Channels Television, the summit programme included a closed-door session for core BRICS members on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism,” followed by a broader session involving partner countries, including Nigeria.
Shettima was scheduled to participate in discussions on inclusive global growth, resilience, innovation and sustainable development, as well as bilateral engagements covering areas including trade, investment, agriculture, technology and industrial development.
The summit was held in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, 2026.
Source: Channels Television