WHO Chief Tedros arrives in Delhi for BRICS Summit; Modi-Guterres discuss UN reforms
New Delhi: World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the BRICS Summit 2026, being hosted by India.
His visit comes as world leaders and top representatives gather in the national capital for the 18th BRICS Summit under India’s chairship.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, with the two leaders discussing multipolarity and reforms to multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Guterres congratulated Modi on India holding the BRICS chairship for the fourth time.
"Both leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities," the MEA said.
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Modi, Guterres discuss global challenges
The two leaders also discussed ongoing conflicts, freedom of navigation, sustainable development, human-centric artificial intelligence, renewable energy and global food security.
The discussions on reforming multilateral institutions come as India continues to push for greater representation and a stronger role in global decision-making bodies.
In July, India officially launched its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term.
Launching India's candidature at the UN headquarters, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the country's priorities, its peacekeeping record and its commitment to multilateralism.
He said member states would assess both India's vision for addressing global challenges and its track record of contributing to international peace and security.
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India hosts 18th BRICS Summit
The Modi-Guterres meeting took place as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship.
India's chairship is guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with development, sustainability and innovation among its key focus areas.
BRICS has emerged as an important platform for coordination among major emerging economies and for advancing the interests of the Global South in multilateral institutions. Its agenda spans development, finance, technology, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
The grouping currently comprises 11 countries- Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.