Xi: BRICS world's most influential platform for emerging markets

Chinese President Xi Jinping on the second day of the BRICS summit in New Delhi described the grouping as "the world's most influential platform for emerging markets," saying BRICS countries have worked together to tackle a string of global challenges from the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change. Xi met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit, underscoring Beijing's diplomatic engagement at the event.

"BRICS countries have worked together to tackle challenges ranging from the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change," Xi said, framing the bloc as a continuing force for coordination among major emerging economies.

Xi's remarks came amid high-profile bilateral activity at the summit, including his meeting with Narendra Modi. The encounter follows a period of cautious engagement between China and India and signals an emphasis on using multilateral fora to stabilise ties while pursuing national interests. The summit has drawn attention for efforts to expand cooperation across finance, trade, public health and climate policy among member states.

Context and details

• Participants: The summit gathered BRICS leaders and delegations in New Delhi for multilateral discussions and bilateral meetings; Xi attended the second day of the event.
• Key themes: Xi highlighted crisis response cooperation, naming the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change as key areas where BRICS coordination has been active.
• Bilateral engagement: Xi's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the dual track of multilateral work within BRICS and direct China-India diplomacy on the sidelines of the summit.
• Regional resonance: By calling BRICS the "most influential platform for emerging markets," Xi sought to underline the bloc's role in shaping global governance discussions, economic policy coordination and collective responses to systemic shocks.

Observers view Xi's statement as part of a broader Chinese push to cement BRICS as a central mechanism for representing the priorities of emerging economies in global forums. The emphasis on past crises — the financial upheavals of the late 2000s, the global pandemic and ongoing climate pressures — illustrates Beijing's narrative that coordinated action through BRICS can produce practical outcomes for member states.

Beyond rhetoric, the summit provides space for concrete initiatives and agreements. While Xi's comments focused on BRICS' influence and past cooperation, delegates at the summit are expected to pursue measures in finance, trade facilitation and cross-border infrastructure that could include new mechanisms for investment and development cooperation. The meeting with Modi indicates room for China and India to manage bilateral issues even as they engage in broader multilateral commitments.

Outlook

Looking ahead, BRICS' future influence will depend on whether members translate summit-level declarations into implementable programs. Xi's framing of the group as the "most influential platform for emerging markets" sets expectations for deeper cooperation on crisis response, public health and climate action. If member states prioritise operational agreements — in finance, trade and infrastructure — the bloc could strengthen its ability to shape policy outcomes internationally. The summit in New Delhi will be watched for any announcements that move beyond affirmations toward concrete funding, project pipelines or institutional reforms that reflect the cooperative agenda Xi described.