India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the annual BRICS Summit beginning today in the Indian capital, New Delhi, which has been decked out in BRICS-themed signs and illuminated buildings and roundabouts.More than a dozen world leaders are attending the 18th annual summit of the bloc, which is increasingly viewed as a counterweight to economic alliances dominated by wealthier Western nations.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3The war in the Gulf will have to end in compromiselist 2 of 3Putin, Pezeshkian in India for BRICS summit clouded by Iran and Ukraine warlist 3 of 3BRICS summit: Is the bloc truly challenging a Western-dominated world?end of listIn preparation, some 30,000 additional security personnel have been deployed while streets around hotels the dignitaries are staying at have been closed off to traffic.Leaders including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in New Delhi on Friday to hold early bilateral meetings with India’s Modi.China’s President Xi Jinping, who is visiting India after seven years, arrives this morning.This year’s two-day summit, which takes place on September 12 and 13, comes at a time of global upheaval with the United States and Israel’s war on Iran, Russia’s war on Ukraine and global energy markets in chaos.But the bloc also faces internal challenges as differences between BRICS members over the US-Israeli war on Iran, ongoing clashes between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and border disputes between India and China gather pace.So how will the bloc overcome its differences this year, and what is on the summit’s agenda?Here’s what we know:What is BRICS?BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.The informal trading bloc was formed in 2006, and Brazil, Russia, India and China convened for the first BRIC summit in 2009. South Africa joined a year later.In 2023, BRICS extended invitations to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after these countries applied for membership.An invitation was extended to Argentina at the same time, but the South American country turned it down after President Javier Milei, elected in December, campaigned on the promise that he would bolster ties with the West.Indonesia joined the bloc in 2025.Currently, BRICS represents 11 member countries, accounting for roughly 49 percent of the world’s population and about 40 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).The broad aim of the alliance of governments is to challenge the economic and political monopoly of the West. The group sets priorities and holds discussions at a summit once a year, which members take turns hosting. This year’s summit is the 18th to be held.Russian President Vladimir Putin meets India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their bilateral meeting before BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 11, 2026 [India’s Press Information Bureau/Handout via Reuters]Who is attending this year’s summit?BRICS member countries are most represented by their top leaders, including the host – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Of the original five members, only Brazil did not send its leader – President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is tied up with local elections, and Brazil will be represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.Most newer members will be similarly represented: