New Delhi, Sep 2026 : Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto arrived in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting on September 12-13. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the Indonesian President and said India looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Indonesia during his visit.
“Extending warm greetings to President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia on his arrival to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi,” the MEA said in a post on X. It added that the visit would help advance the shared vision of greater cooperation, development and prosperity.
Indonesia is among the BRICS member countries participating in the summit, which is bringing together leaders and representatives from member states, partner countries and outreach invitees.
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow also arrived in the national capital to attend the high-level gathering.
Welcoming the Thai leader, the MEA highlighted the longstanding ties between India and Thailand and described the relationship as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“India and Thailand share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership anchored in age-old links,” the ministry said, adding that the visit would contribute to deepening and advancing the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
Earlier, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye arrived in New Delhi to represent the African Union (AU) at the BRICS Summit. He was received by Minister of State for Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma.
The MEA said India's engagement with the African Union remains focused on advancing common priorities of the Global South.
“Delighted to welcome President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi as he arrives in New Delhi to represent the African Union at the 18th BRICS Summit,” the ministry said. It added that India and the African Union are closely engaged in promoting shared priorities of developing countries.
The arrival of the leaders comes ahead of the two-day BRICS Summit, which will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship.
BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The grouping's partner countries include Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
India has placed its BRICS Chairship under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on strengthening cooperation among emerging economies and addressing shared global challenges.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on economic cooperation, development, trade, global governance and issues affecting the Global South.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said leaders from different parts of the world would gather in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit and expressed confidence that the meeting would result in constructive discussions.
“Over the next few days, leaders from around the world will gather for the BRICS Summit,” Modi said in a post on X. He expressed confidence that the summit would witness “positive and meaningful discussions” on various issues while keeping the welfare of the world in mind.
With the arrival of key leaders and representatives, New Delhi is preparing for the high-level summit, which is expected to further strengthen BRICS cooperation and India's engagement with member states, partner countries and the wider Global South.
