Modi, Kazakhstan's Tokayev hold bilateral talks at 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi sat down with Kazakhstan President Tokayev — a meeting that goes beyond protocol. With Kazakhstan holding partner-country status in BRICS and chairing the Eurasian Economic Union, the bilateral signals India's push to anchor its Central Asia strategy through the bloc's expanding architecture.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi .
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit , which India is hosting as BRICS Chair in 2026 .
Senior officials present included NSA Ajit Doval , Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri , and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George .
Leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries unanimously adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration' at the summit.
Kazakhstan is a BRICS partner country and President Tokayev also chairs the Eurasian Economic Union .
Tokayev was received at the airport by MoS Sukanta Majumdar and attended a gala dinner hosted by PM Modi on Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 13 September 2026 held a bilateral meeting with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The talks reinforced what officials describe as a robust strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan, anchored in strong cultural and people-to-people ties.
Who Was in the Room
Senior Indian officials accompanied Prime Minister Modi at the meeting, including National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sibi George. Prior to the formal session, the two leaders warmly greeted each other, with Modi also engaging with the delegation accompanying Tokayev.
The BRICS Backdrop
As BRICS Chair in 2026, India is hosting the two-day 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, drawing leaders of BRICS member nations, partner countries, and outreach invitees. BRICS currently comprises 11 member countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Kazakhstan holds the status of a BRICS partner country, alongside Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
New Delhi Declaration Adopted
Earlier in the summit, the leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries unanimously adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration', commending India's chairship for injecting 'new impetus' to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity. The declaration reaffirmed member nations' commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect, sovereign equality, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus — a signal of continuity even amid significant geopolitical turbulence globally.
Tokayev's New Delhi Visit
President Tokayev arrived in New Delhi on Saturday and was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar. He joined other visiting heads of state and government for a family photo at Bharat Mandapam and attended a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi on Saturday evening. The Ministry of External Affairs noted on X that Tokayev also chairs the Eurasian Economic Union, underscoring the strategic weight of his participation at the summit.
What This Signals
The Modi-Tokayev bilateral sits within a broader India effort to deepen ties with Central Asian nations at a moment when the region is navigating growing pressure from both Russia and China. Notably, Kazakhstan's partner-country status in BRICS gives New Delhi a platform to engage Nur-Sultan on connectivity, energy, and trade outside traditional multilateral forums. With India's BRICS chairship drawing to a close, the summit outcomes — including the New Delhi Declaration — are expected to shape the bloc's agenda for the coming year.
Point of View
But the subtext is more consequential. Kazakhstan's dual role — BRICS partner country and Eurasian Economic Union chair — makes it a pivot state between Russia's orbit and India's westward connectivity ambitions. New Delhi's decision to engage Nur-Sultan bilaterally, with the NSA and Foreign Secretary both in the room, suggests this is about more than optics. The New Delhi Declaration's language on 'new impetus' for international cooperation is deliberately broad, giving India room to claim a legacy from its chairship regardless of how fractured the bloc's internal consensus on geopolitical fault lines remains.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi and Kazakhstan President Tokayev discuss at the BRICS Summit?
The two leaders held a bilateral meeting on 13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, focusing on India-Kazakhstan ties described as a 'robust strategic partnership anchored in strong cultural and people-to-people ties.' Specific agenda items were not disclosed publicly.
What is the 18th BRICS Summit and where is it being held?
The 18th BRICS Summit is a two-day gathering of leaders from BRICS member countries, partner nations, and outreach invitees, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi in September 2026. India is hosting the summit as BRICS Chair for 2026.
What is the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit?
The New Delhi Declaration is a joint statement unanimously adopted by leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries at the summit. It commends India's chairship for bringing 'new impetus' to international cooperation and reaffirms the bloc's commitment to mutual respect, sovereign equality, and consensus.
What is Kazakhstan's role in BRICS?
Kazakhstan is a BRICS partner country, not a full member. Partner countries participate in select BRICS activities and summits but do not hold voting rights within the bloc. President Tokayev also chairs the Eurasian Economic Union, adding a multilateral dimension to his engagement with India.
Who received Kazakhstan President Tokayev in New Delhi?
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar received President Tokayev at the airport when he arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, 12 September 2026, ahead of the BRICS Summit.
