Modi, Indonesia's Prabowo vow stronger ties at BRICS Delhi Summit
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo shared a bilateral that reaffirmed growing India-Indonesia ties — while Indonesia's foreign minister called for a reformed, more representative UN. The summit's first-day Joint Statement consensus, despite deep geopolitical fault lines among members, is being called a major diplomatic breakthrough for India's hosting.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 13 September 2026 .
Modi posted on X affirming that 'India and Indonesia will keep strengthening their partnership across a wide range of sectors.' Prabowo also held a pre-session conversation with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping before departing for home on Sunday afternoon.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono called for a reformed UN and stronger multilateralism, positioning Indonesia as a voice for the Global South .
BRICS nations reached consensus on a Joint Statement on Day 1 of the summit — described as a 'major diplomatic breakthrough' given divergent geopolitical positions among members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 13 September 2026, reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening its partnership with Indonesia across multiple sectors, following a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The exchange underscored the growing warmth between Asia's two largest archipelagic democracies at a moment of heightened global multipolarity.
What Modi Said
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Lovely catching up with President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the BRICS Delhi Summit. His warmth, positivity and spirit of optimism are always endearing. India and Indonesia will keep strengthening their partnership across a wide range of sectors.' The post signalled continued momentum in bilateral engagement beyond the formal summit agenda.
Prabowo's Engagement at the Summit
President Prabowo Subianto, who departed for home on Sunday afternoon, participated in the two-day summit that brought together heads of state from BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees. Before the opening session on Saturday, 12 September, he held what the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat described as a 'warm conversation' with Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The secretariat shared a glimpse of the interaction on its official X account, noting that 'the four leaders appeared to converse in a warm and friendly atmosphere before the opening session began.'
Indonesia's Position on Global Governance
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono elaborated on Jakarta's stance at the summit, posting on X that Indonesia 'underscored the need for a stronger multilateral system, anchored by a reformed UN that is more representative, responsive, and able to deliver for our peoples.' He stressed that 'more inclusive global governance and effective multilateralism are essential to ensuring that the Global South stands united and every nation has a voice.' The remarks reflect Indonesia's consistent advocacy for a greater say for developing nations in global decision-making forums.
BRICS Joint Statement: A Diplomatic Milestone
The broader summit produced a notable outcome: BRICS nations reached consensus on a Joint Statement on the very first day of the India-hosted gathering — a development observers have described as a 'major diplomatic breakthrough,' given the sharply divergent geopolitical positions held by several member states. Achieving early consensus among blocs that include Russia, China, India, and newer partner nations is considered a significant feat of diplomatic management by New Delhi.
What Comes Next
The bilateral signals exchanged between New Delhi and Jakarta are expected to feed into sector-specific working groups on trade, defence cooperation, and digital connectivity. India's hosting of the BRICS summit has amplified its profile as a convening power for the Global South, and the Modi-Prabowo exchange adds a bilateral layer to the multilateral momentum generated in New Delhi this weekend.
Point of View
With a population of over 270 million and a fast-growing economy, is a pivotal swing state in the Indo-Pacific that both Washington and Beijing actively court. India's ability to deepen ties with Jakarta signals a maturing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that goes beyond rhetoric. The early BRICS Joint Statement consensus, however, deserves closer scrutiny: convergence on a communiqué does not equal convergence on values — and the presence of Russia and China at the same table as India means the 'unity' on display is carefully managed ambiguity. New Delhi's diplomatic skill lies in navigating that ambiguity without sacrificing strategic autonomy.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about India-Indonesia relations at the BRICS Summit?
PM Modi posted on X that India and Indonesia 'will keep strengthening their partnership across a wide range of sectors' after meeting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 13 September 2026. The meeting reaffirmed bilateral momentum between the two nations.
What is the 18th BRICS Summit and where was it held?
The 18th BRICS Summit was a two-day gathering of leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, hosted by India. It brought together heads of state including PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with outreach invitees such as Indonesia.
What was Indonesia's key message at the BRICS Summit?
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that Indonesia stressed the need for a stronger, more representative multilateral system and a reformed United Nations. Jakarta positioned itself as an advocate for the Global South, arguing that inclusive global governance is essential for developing nations to have a meaningful voice.
Why is the BRICS Joint Statement being called a diplomatic breakthrough?
BRICS nations reached consensus on a Joint Statement on the very first day of the India-hosted summit — an outcome considered significant given the sharply divergent geopolitical positions among members such as Russia, China, and India. Achieving early consensus is seen as a diplomatic success for New Delhi's presidency.
Who did Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto meet at the BRICS Summit?
President Prabowo met Prime Minister Narendra Modi bilaterally and also held a warm conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping before the opening session on Saturday, 12 September. He departed for home on Sunday afternoon after the summit concluded.
