Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026, representing UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the gathering.
The summit, held under India’s BRICS chairmanship with the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, was opened by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Press Information Bureau of India. It is India’s fourth time chairing the bloc.
The UAE is attending the summit for the third time as a BRICS member. It joined at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in August 2023, as part of its stated aim to deepen ties among Global South nations. BRICS now counts 11 members after Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Ethiopia joined in 2024 and Indonesia in 2025, according to The Hindu.
Meetings with Modi, Putin and Pezeshkian
Sheikh Khaled met Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, where Modi hosted a reception for the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince. Sheikh Khaled conveyed the greetings of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed to Prime Minister Modi, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The two sides discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), bilateral relations, and opportunities to deepen economic integration across key sectors. Modi conveyed his greetings to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and his wishes for the UAE’s continued prosperity.
Sheikh Khaled also met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen UAE-Russia relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues. They stressed the importance of continued coordination on BRICS summit outcomes and turning its recommendations into practical initiatives.
A meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian covered regional and international issues. Both sides underscored the importance of easing tensions, promoting de-escalation and strengthening regional stability.
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said the meeting reflected the UAE’s approach, grounded in what he described as the dual pillars of deterrence and diplomacy, noting that ‘neither can stand without the other’. ‘Deterrence bolsters the credibility of diplomacy, while diplomacy succeeds when it emanates from a position of parity and capability, ultimately forming the optimal path toward achieving stable and sustainable regional security,’ he said.
Gargash also cited President Pezeshkian’s conduct during the conflict that began on 28 February, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory Iranian action across the region. ‘President Pezeshkian expressed, during the protracted crisis, positions and statements characterised by balance and rationality, stances that cannot be ignored at this delicate juncture,’ Gargash stated.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince BRICS Summit agenda and delegation
Sheikh Khaled met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and conveyed the greetings of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, along with wishes for Ethiopia’s continued progress. The two sides discussed strengthening UAE-Ethiopia relations and expanding cooperation in economic growth and sustainable development.
The UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Khaled included Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; and Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State.
The summit is due to conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, according to the South African Presidency. Leaders are also set to participate in a BRICS Business Forum Leader’s Dialogue covering trade and supply chains, the digital economy and innovation. The BRICS 2026 official website states the group’s agenda is structured around three pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
A UAE-India joint statement issued by WAM noted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed’s support for an AI Impact Summit to be hosted in India, reflecting the broader technology cooperation agenda between the two countries.
