The camaraderie was not without precedent, with the three leaders having shared a similar moment at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.Prefer HTon Google Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen holding hands at the BRICS summit on Saturday, in a display of bonhomie between the leaders.**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image released on Sept. 12, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 18th BRICS Summit, at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. (MEA via PTI Photo) (PTI09_12_2026_000198B) (MEA)The striking moment of camaraderie was not without precedent, with the three leaders having shared a similar warm moment at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek earlier this month. The latest photograph comes even as India hosts the BRICS summit amid heightened geopolitical tensions, providing an added significance to their public show of unity.The two-day summit, being held on September 12 and September 13 in New Delhi, has also seen attendance from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.BRICS adopts New Delhi declaration; voices concerns on rise of unilateral tariffsThe BRICS group of nations unanimously adopted a joint declaration on Saturday, the first day of the annual summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “No member has raised any objection. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 is adopted unanimously,” PM Modi said.The joint statement by member countries condemned the imposition of “unilateral coercive measures which are contrary to international law”, while expressing concern about growing risks of nuclear danger and conflict, Reuters news agency reported. It said nuclear safeguards, safety and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts.The declaration stressed the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, while voicing serious concerns about rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organisation rules.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.