Modi, Egypt's El-Sisi hold bilateral talks at 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Egyptian President El-Sisi — a meeting that carries added weight now that Egypt is a full BRICS member. With the New Delhi Declaration unanimously adopted and India's 'Humanity First' chairship framing the agenda, this summit marks a pivotal moment in India's multilateral leadership ambitions.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 13 September .
Leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration on Saturday, praising India's chairship for injecting 'new impetus' to international cooperation.
India is hosting the summit under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' at Bharat Mandapam .
BRICS now has 11 member countries and 10 partner countries , including recent additions Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
President El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Friday and was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, 13 September, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and Egypt within the expanded multilateral grouping.
Summit Backdrop and Day Two Proceedings
Earlier on Sunday, President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Modi joined fellow leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, outreach invitees, and heads of international organisations for a formal family photograph in New Delhi. Modi welcomed the expanded BRICS membership as they gathered for the second day of proceedings at Bharat Mandapam.
El-Sisi had also attended the gala dinner hosted by Modi for BRICS leaders at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday evening, marking an early opportunity for informal engagement among the heads of state.
New Delhi Declaration Adopted Unanimously
On Saturday, leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries unanimously adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration'. The declaration specifically commended India for hosting the Outreach/BRICS Plus Dialogue segment of the summit, asserting that India's chairship has injected 'new impetus' to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity. The leaders collectively reaffirmed their commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect, sovereign equality, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus.
India's Chairship and Summit Theme
India's BRICS chairship this year is guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting Modi's articulated vision of a people-centric approach anchored in the principle of 'Humanity First'. The summit represents one of India's most significant multilateral hosting responsibilities under the expanded BRICS format.
The grouping currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Partner countries include Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Egypt's Arrival and India-Egypt Ties
President El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Friday and was received at the airport by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on X: 'Warmly welcome the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He was received by MoS Sanjay Seth at the airport. India and Egypt share deep bonds of friendship, as we work together to build a stronger BRICS partnership.'
Egypt joined BRICS as a full member in January 2024, making this one of its first major multilateral engagements under the expanded grouping hosted by a fellow BRICS nation. The Modi-El-Sisi bilateral exchange is expected to further consolidate cooperation across trade, defence, and regional connectivity as the two nations navigate a rapidly evolving global order.
Point of View
But the real test lies in whether the expanded BRICS can move beyond declarations to binding cooperation on trade settlement, debt restructuring, and regional security. Notably, India's 'Humanity First' framing sits in quiet tension with the presence of members under Western sanctions, a contradiction that mainstream coverage rarely interrogates. How Modi navigates that contradiction while advancing India's strategic interests will define the legacy of this chairship.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi and Egyptian President El-Sisi discuss at the BRICS Summit?
PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 13 September 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening India-Egypt ties within the expanded BRICS framework, building on the two nations' described 'deep bonds of friendship'.
What is the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit?
The New Delhi Declaration is a joint statement unanimously adopted by the leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries on Saturday at the 18th BRICS Summit. It commended India's chairship, reaffirmed commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and sovereign equality, and acknowledged India's hosting of the Outreach/BRICS Plus Dialogue segment.
Which countries are part of BRICS in 2026?
BRICS currently comprises 11 member countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. It also has 10 partner countries including Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
What is the theme of India's BRICS chairship in 2026?
India's BRICS chairship is guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting PM Modi's people-centric vision anchored in the principle of 'Humanity First'. The 18th BRICS Summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
When did Egypt join BRICS and why is its participation significant?
Egypt joined BRICS as a full member in January 2024, making the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi one of its first major multilateral engagements under the expanded grouping hosted by a fellow member state. The Modi-El-Sisi bilateral meeting signals India's intent to deepen ties with newer BRICS members across trade, defence, and regional connectivity.
