1. BRICS Summit 2026 Kicks Off in New Delhi

The 18th BRICS Summit has begun in New Delhi, bringing together the bloc’s 11 member states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The summit is taking place amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine

2. PM Modi to Hold Bilateral Meet with China’s Xi Jinping

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The meeting comes after the two countries began improving ties following the 2024 disengagement along the Line of Actual Control. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

3. India-Russia Defence Talks Take Centre Stage at BRICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Defence, energy, critical minerals and technology are among the areas being discussed. Russia has also proposed the possible supply and joint production of Su-57 fighter jets and upgrades to India’s Su-30MKI fleet.

4. Houthis Escalate Attacks in the Red Sea

The Houthis have intensified attacks in and around the Red Sea amid the wider regional conflict. The latest attacks have raised fresh security concerns for commercial shipping and energy routes passing through the region. Saudi Arabia has also faced attacks as tensions involving the Houthis and Iran continue to rise. Analysts say this development puts to test the Mecca Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.