Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi as India prepares to host one of its biggest diplomatic gatherings of the year — the BRICS Summit 2026. The Russian leader landed in the capital early on September 11 for a three-day visit and was received by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. He is due to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before joining other BRICS leaders at Bharat Mandapam on September 12.

But Putin is only the beginning. September 11 is expected to be Delhi's busiest VVIP-arrival day, with presidents, prime ministers and senior representatives from South Africa, Iran, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria and several partner countries scheduled to reach the capital. Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, is expected on September 12 for his first visit to India in seven years. So when are the other dignitaries arriving in Delhi, and who is actually attending the summit?

Putin Arrives Ahead of BRICS Summit 2026

Putin was among the earliest major world leaders to arrive. His visit is not limited to the summit itself. The Russian president is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Modi on September 11, with trade, energy, defence cooperation and regional issues likely to feature prominently. Three Russian transport aircraft had already landed at Noida International Airport on September 10 as advance teams and equipment arrived ahead of the presidential visit.

Putin is also expected to participate in the BRICS Business Forum before joining the formal leaders' programme at Bharat Mandapam. His arrival comes as India and Russia continue discussions around their target of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Dignitaries Arriving in Delhi on September 11

According to published VVIP schedules, September 11 has the heaviest concentration of arrivals. Some timings may change because of operational and security requirements, but the expected schedule includes:

The schedule also includes officials from multilateral organisations and other outreach countries. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira was scheduled to reach Delhi on the evening of September 10, representing Brazil at the summit.

When Will Xi Jinping Arrive in Delhi?

One of the most closely watched arrivals will come on September 12. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to reach New Delhi around midday before heading to Bharat Mandapam for the formal leaders' programme. Published schedules vary slightly, putting his arrival at around 12:10 PM to 12:25 PM, so the safest description is around noon on Saturday.

Xi's trip is particularly significant because it will be his first visit to India in seven years. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi during the visit, with border issues, trade, investment and the gradual diplomatic thaw between India and China likely to feature prominently.

The meeting follows renewed engagement between New Delhi and Beijing after years of strained ties following the 2020 border crisis.

Who Else Is Arriving on September 12?

Several additional delegations and leaders are expected to reach Delhi on Saturday. Published schedules include representatives from Belarus and Bahrain as well as Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The arrival of partner-country leaders also reflects how much BRICS has expanded beyond its original five members.

The grouping now consists of 11 full members:

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Partner and outreach countries are also participating during the wider summit programme.

Which World Leaders Are Attending BRICS Summit in India?

The BRICS Summit in India will bring together a mix of presidents, prime ministers, crown princes, ministers and leaders of international organisations. Among the major confirmed attendees are:

• Vladimir Putin — Russia
• Xi Jinping — China
• Cyril Ramaphosa — South Africa
• Masoud Pezeshkian — Iran
• Abdel Fattah el-Sisi — Egypt
• Abiy Ahmed — Ethiopia
• Prabowo Subianto — Indonesia
• Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — UAE
• Mauro Vieira — Brazil's Foreign Minister

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to participate. Partner and outreach delegations include representatives from countries such as Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Nigeria, Uzbekistan and Uganda. Not every BRICS member is therefore being represented by its head of state or government. That distinction is useful when describing the gathering as a meeting of foreign dignitaries rather than claiming every member country's president or prime minister is personally attending.

Iran President's Arrival Will Be Closely Watched

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive at around 2 PM on September 11. He is also expected to meet Modi later in the day. His participation is especially important because the summit is taking place amid an escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Reuters reports that divisions over the Middle East crisis will test whether the expanded BRICS grouping can agree on common language for its final declaration.

That makes Pezeshkian's presence more than ceremonial. India will be trying to manage discussions among countries with sharply different relationships with Tehran.

Why the UAE Delegation Matters

The United Arab Emirates will be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, rather than President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. He is scheduled to arrive on September 11 evening. The UAE's participation will be watched particularly closely because of the current tensions involving Iran. Reuters has reported that the Middle East conflict has created new divisions within the bloc at a moment when India hopes to present BRICS as an effective platform for cooperation among emerging economies.

What Is the BRICS Summit 2026 Schedule?

The formal summit takes place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. According to the programme released by the Ministry of External Affairs, September 12 is primarily for the full BRICS member countries.

September 12

2:00 PM: Arrival of BRICS leaders

2:35 PM: Closed session on inclusive global governance and multilateralism

4:25 PM: Bharat Innovates Exhibition

5:05 PM: BRICS family photo

5:10 PM: Joint tree plantation

7:30 PM: Gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi

September 13

Partner countries and outreach invitees join the programme on Sunday.

9:55 AM: Arrival of outreach and partner-country leaders

10:35 AM: Family photo

10:50 AM: Open session on resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability and inclusive global growth.

Why Delhi Is Handling Around 35 Special Aircraft

The sheer number of dignitaries arriving in Delhi has required an unusual aviation operation. Around 35 special aircraft, including VVIP and delegation flights, are expected during the summit period. Authorities are using not only Delhi airport but also other facilities for aircraft parking and logistical support. Noida International Airport, Hindon and Jaipur have been brought into the plan, while Lucknow is also on standby.

Noida airport already received three Russian transport aircraft on September 10. Delhi airport has also increased its international handling capacity at Terminal 3 to manage the additional traffic.

Delhi Airspace Restrictions During BRICS

Security measures extend into the air. Non-scheduled flights have been restricted within a 300-km radius of Delhi between 7 AM and 11 PM from September 11 to 13. Regular commercial flights are exempt, while specially cleared aircraft carrying foreign delegations can continue operating. Safdarjung Airport will remain largely closed except for authorised security and emergency operations. These measures are intended to protect VVIP movements as dozens of international aircraft move through the region.

Why This BRICS Summit Matters

The summit comes at an unusually difficult geopolitical moment. The expanded BRICS grouping is dealing simultaneously with:

• The Iran conflict and instability in West Asia
• The Russia-Ukraine war
• India-China relations
• Rising oil prices
• Trade and sanctions
• Reform of global institutions
• Cross-border payment systems
• Energy and food security

India is also pushing discussions on linking central-bank digital currencies to make cross-border transactions between BRICS economies faster and cheaper. At the same time, New Delhi has resisted framing BRICS simply as an anti-Western bloc. That balancing act will become harder as countries with very different geopolitical interests sit at the same table. For Delhi residents, the stream of dignitaries arriving in Delhi means security restrictions and VVIP traffic.

For India, it means something larger: over the next two days, New Delhi becomes the venue where some of the world's most consequential political relationships — India-Russia, India China and the increasingly divided politics of the Middle East — will all meet under one BRICS Summit roof.