The author is an international affairs expert
JK News Today Commentary
The BRICS summit begins today—Saturday, September 12, 2026—but a single photograph has already forced the world to acknowledge what India, the host, has achieved before the formal opening. This image, capturing Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking hand-in-hand with the presidents of Russia and Iran, has become a real-time symbol of New Delhi’s diplomatic prowess and a harbinger of what lies ahead in global affairs: we stand together, and we know exactly where we stand.
While this serves as a powerful message from a nation that champions the universal ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—it also signals to onlookers across every continent that India decides its own destiny. The global community must take note: our values are non-negotiable.
Both Iran and Russia are currently locked in intense conflicts, the economic and geopolitical tremors of which are being felt worldwide. The confrontation between Iran, America, and Israel—now entering its seventh month—has been a deeply frustrating experience for the global order, posing a severe threat to the global economy and regional security. Numerous countries are feeling the pinch, forcing them to reset their strategic and security priorities. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war, now grinding into its fifth year, remains equally devastating.
Against this backdrop, this year’s BRICS summit arrives at a critical juncture, placing a far greater burden of responsibility on India than any past host nation has had to bear. New Delhi is acutely aware of the high stakes. It must help pave a pathway to peace without compromising its own national interests or its vital strategic partnerships with the United States and Israel.
While India has consistently maintained that all solutions must be sought through dialogue and diplomacy, the reality remains that these conflicts continue to rage. New Delhi cannot accept the status quo; these wars have already proven their capacity to spill over into new territories and jolt the global order in ways previously unimaginable, posing threats that, in many ways, dwarf the crises of the two World Wars.
This is a time for more than just reflection or studying past lessons—it is a moment to propose and solidify a definitive way forward. As the host nation, India owes this leadership to itself and to the world. Ultimately, the hand-in-hand approach captured on day one will only succeed if the essence of that photograph is translated into real-time action. Global leaders must recognize this summit as a fleeting window of opportunity to restore order before these challenges spiral into catastrophic proportions.
The Modi-Xi Summit: Moving Beyond the Pakistan Prism
Much of the discourse surrounding the current summit centers on the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping. His arrival and the subsequent deliberations—most notably his highly anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding bilateral relations and the shifting global landscape—are poised to define the flavour of the entire event.
The relationship between the two Asian giants has long been defined by an alternating pattern of highs and lows. At the heart of this volatility is the unresolved boundary dispute, which remains a severe irritant despite both nations’ frequently repeated commitments to finding a mutually agreeable solution. Yet, against the backdrop of the intense standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh—which dragged on for over four and a half years from April 2020 until October 2024—achieving real progress is far more difficult than it appears on the surface. New Delhi understands this reality deeply, which is why India’s primary thrust remains squarely on trust-building.
Despite their diverging strategic and geopolitical interests both regionally and globally, India and China must find a way to appear on the same page. Aligning their positions is the need of the hour if they hope to restore a balanced world order—a vision that lies at the core of both nations’ identities. The expectation is that the two powers will prioritize their larger mutual interests, cementing ties to position Asia as a leading force in resolving global issues.
Admittedly, certain realities cannot be ignored—chief among them the deep-seated China-Pakistan friendship and their shared stance on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it is time for both capitals to rise above viewing their relationship through the restrictive prism of Pakistan. Beijing and New Delhi must chart their own independent course. The true test of whether they can achieve this will unfold today, as Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping meet for crucial bilateral talks.
