BRICS summit LIVE updates: Xi in Delhi for BRICS; Iran key to consensus on leaders’ declaration
BRICS summit LIVE updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the two-day BRICS summit on Saturday.
BRICS summit LIVE updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, with his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to be the key highlight of the day....Read More
The engagement comes as New Delhi is hosting the highly-anticipated event on September 12 and 13, with leaders and senior delegations from member countries arriving in the national capital since Thursday evening.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day visit to participate in the summit and hold talks with Modi. Putin on Friday took potshots at G-7 and said the BRICS countries account for more than half of the world's population and have “dynamic, vibrant, domestic markets".
Putin is accompanied by a high-level delegation. His visit marks his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira also arrived in New Delhi to represent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who remains in Brazil for his election campaign.
Xi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are among the other top leaders attending the summit.
Chinese President in New Delhi today
Xi has left Beijing and is on the way to New Delhi at the invitation of Modi, China’s People’s Daily reported early Saturday. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the two-day summit, which is being hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam.
While announcing the Chinese premiere's visit, the country's ambassador to India Xu Feihong said: "China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed," the envoy wrote on X.
What is on BRICS agenda today
1. The BRICS leaders will begin arriving at Bharat Mandapam from 2pm on Saturday. The first closed session, scheduled for 2.35pm, will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.”
2. The leaders will later visit the Bharat Innovates exhibition before posing for a family photograph and participating in a joint tree plantation. Modi will host a gala dinner for the visiting leaders at 7.30pm.
3. The summit will continue on Sunday with the arrival of leaders of BRICS partner countries and outreach invitees. An open session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” is scheduled for 10.50am.
4. India is hosting the summit under its 2026 BRICS presidency, its fourth chairship of the grouping. The presidency is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
5. BRICS currently comprises 11 countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. Together, the grouping represents 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
Tight security, traffic curbs in Delhi
The summit has also triggered extensive security arrangements across the national capital.
Around 30,000 police and security personnel, along with sniffer dog squads and anti-drone systems, have been deployed in and around Bharat Mandapam, where the summit is being held.
Delhi Police has put in place a multi-layered security arrangement, with around 15,000 personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces deployed across the city. More than 500 CCTV cameras, including high-resolution and specialised surveillance cameras, have also been installed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of key areas.
The Airports Authority of India has notified airspace restrictions around New Delhi, barring non-scheduled flight operations between 7am and 11pm from September 11 to 13.
Traffic restrictions are also in place on Saturday from 9.30am to 9.30pm. Movement will be regulated around Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan, as well as several key corridors connecting central Delhi with the northern, southern, eastern and western parts of the city.
The Delhi Police has advised commuters to plan their journeys in advance and use the Metro wherever possible.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 02:00:21 PM IST
BRICS summit LIVE updates: Iran key to consensus on leaders’ declaration
BRICS summit LIVE updates: Suspense mounted on Saturday over whether leaders at the two-day BRICS Summit in New Delhi will reach a consensus on a joint declaration, amid sharp divisions between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict, even as India works to shield the Global South from growing geopolitical turmoil.
Multiple diplomatic sources cited by PTI news agency said that hectic consultations are underway to arrive at a consensus on the thorny issue, but added that negotiations could go down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE harden their positions. HT could not independently verify the reporting.
BRICS is a consensus-based grouping, meaning any single member can block a final joint declaration.
Differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are on opposite sides of the West Asia conflict, have held up consensus at several ministerial meetings ahead of the BRICS Summit.
(Via PTI)
- 12 Sept 2026, 01:43:03 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Ridge combing, horse patrols and 15,000 cops deployed in Delhi
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, the New Delhi district police conducted an extensive combing operation across the Ridge as part of heightened surveillance and area domination.
“An extensive combing operation across the Ridge, backed by coordinated efforts with the outer force, strengthens surveillance and area domination,” DCP New Delhi said in a post on X.
Horse patrols were also deployed across the Ridge as part of the security arrangements.
Meanwhile, tight security has been put in place at Bharat Mandapam, including the deployment of dog squads. Delhi Police has mobilised around 15,000 personnel and nearly 200 companies of paramilitary forces for the summit.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 01:29:53 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Picture shows PM meeting Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
PTI BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12.
- 12 Sept 2026, 01:26:37 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: MEA calls for ‘constructive discussions’ after Xi arrives in Delhi
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to New Delhi on Saturday.
“We look forward to constructive discussions as BRICS continues to advance cooperation and contribute to a more balanced, representative and multipolar world,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 01:19:26 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Joint declaration remains key challenge, says expert
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: A joint declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit would be a major achievement, but it is difficult to predict whether member countries will reach a consensus, JNU Professor (School of International Studies) Rajan Kumar said.
“The issue of joint declaration is stuck at just one point. This is because the UAE is a member and the UAE is being targeted by Iran in the ongoing conflict. As a consequence, they have different views on how to… this is about wording, how to put the words in the joint declaration,” Kumar told news agency ANI.
He said the Indian Sherpa and other member-country Sherpas were working to tweak the wording and enable the declaration to be finalised.
Kumar said the declaration was important as its absence could allow some Western countries to build a narrative that BRICS members were divided and unable to reach consensus.
- 12 Sept 2026, 12:59:14 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Black cloth-covered cars seen in Xi Jinping’s convoy
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: After Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Delhi ahead of his visit for the 18th BRICS Summit, a purported video showing cars in his convoy covered in black clothes is going viral on social media.
The black covering appears to be part of the arrangements to transport and protect the vehicles before they are put into use. There is no indication that the wrapping itself points to any extraordinary security threat.
HT could not independently verify the claim.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 12:52:47 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Union MoS Jitin Prasada receives Xi Jinping at airport | Watch
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Union minister of state Jitin Prasada received Chinese President Xi Jinping at the airport in New Delhi on Saturday ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- 12 Sept 2026, 12:39:54 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: MEA debunks claim on breakfast served to leaders
X/@MEAFactCheck BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: The ministry of external affairs on Saturday rejected media reports claiming that breakfast was served to world leaders at the BRICS Summit venue.
“Fake News! No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam,” the ministry’s fact-check unit said in a post.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 12:29:21 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Who is accompanying Xi Jinping in Delhi?
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit, accompanied by two key figures in China’s political and foreign-policy establishment — Cai Qi and Wang Yi.
At 70, Cai is a member of the Communist Party of China’s Politburo Standing Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. He oversees a powerful party apparatus and is among Xi’s closest political allies. Reuters news agency has described him as Xi’s “de facto chief of staff” and one of the Chinese president’s closest confidants.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi is one of China’s longest-serving foreign ministers in recent memory and a key figure in the country’s foreign policy.
A 2022 New York Times article described Wang as the “campaigner” for Xi Jinping’s “global ambitions”. Read More
- 12 Sept 2026, 12:17:23 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: China's Xi Jinping in Delhi after 12 years
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a two-day visit to India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit.
Xi last visited India in 2019, when he travelled to Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu for the second India-China informal summit.
His current visit also marks his first trip to New Delhi in 12 years. He last visited the national capital in September 2014, during his first term as Chinese president.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 12:07:49 PM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Vietnam PM Le Minh Hung
X/@PTI_News BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- 12 Sept 2026, 11:53:59 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Xi Jinping arrives in Delhi for BRICS Summit
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi later today.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 11:47:26 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM Modi meets Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in New Delhi on Saturday on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral Strategic Partnership and reviewed progress in economic cooperation, defence and security partnership, and capacity building.
The meeting built on Modi’s visit to Addis Ababa in December 2025. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation in multilateral fora.
Modi appreciated Ethiopia’s participation in the BRICS Summit and said its presence helped reinforce the collective voice of the Global South.
- 12 Sept 2026, 11:25:02 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM holds bilateral meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 11:15:22 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: PM Modi meets Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in New Delhi on Saturday, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Malaysia's participation in the BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi is in its capacity as a BRICS Partner Country, on the invitation of PM Modi.
“The Summit is the highest-level platform of BRICS, bringing together Heads of State and Government of BRICS Member and Partner Countries to discuss strategic issues relating to global governance, sustainable development, economic cooperation, trade and investment, digital transformation, and global challenges affecting developing countries,” the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
During the Summit, Ibrahim is scheduled to deliver a National Statement on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth. According to its Foreign Ministry, Malaysia will emphasise the importance of strengthening cooperation among BRICS Member and Partner Countries in addressing development challenges, expanding economic opportunities, and ensuring that the benefits of technological advancement and innovation are enjoyed more inclusively by all countries.
He is also scheduled to visit Keralam to further solidify bilateral relations and unlock strategic collaboration across key sectors, including trade and investment, the digital economy, talent and labour, education, and regional connectivity.
via ANI
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- 12 Sept 2026, 11:06:52 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Iran's shoutout to India with Modi-Pezeshkian photo
X/@Iran_in_India BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: The Iranian Embassy in India shared a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian from the BRICS Summit on Friday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also seen in the frame.
The embassy captioned the post: "When the leaders of two great nations join hands, they remind us of the historic friendship between two great civilizations. Long live the friendship between Iran and India!"
- 12 Sept 2026, 10:46:29 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: India-Ethiopia bilateral meeting underway
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: A bilateral meeting between India and Ethiopia is currently underway at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
A separate meeting with Malaysia is also underway on the sidelines of the summit.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 10:43:04 AM IST
What is BRICS?
BRICS is not a formal multilateral organisation like the United Nations, World Bank or OPEC. It functions as an “informal club”, with member countries holding an annual summit and taking turns to chair the grouping. Its decisions are based on consensus.
It is a forum for political and diplomatic coordination among countries of the Global South, aimed at expanding economic, political and social cooperation and strengthening the Global South’s voice in international governance, often dominated by western concerns.
It also seeks greater legitimacy, equity and efficiency in institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization.
BRICS currently has 11 members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE.
Together, they account for 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
- 12 Sept 2026, 10:28:40 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Traffic restrictions in Delhi till evening
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place across several key stretches of Delhi from 8:15 pm to 11 pm on September 12 for the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit, according to Delhi Traffic Police.
Traffic movement will be regulated on major roads leading towards central Delhi, while a prohibited zone has been marked around Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan.
The affected stretches include roads around India Gate, Kartavya Path, Janpath, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Bhagwan Das Road, Mathura Road and Pragati Maidan, among other connecting routes.
Motorists have been advised to follow designated alternative routes, avoid restricted areas, plan their journeys in advance and use the Metro wherever possible. Emergency and essential-service vehicles will be given priority passage, the advisory said.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 10:01:33 AM IST
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Who’s attending
BRICS summit 2026 LIVE updates: Several prominent world leaders are scheduled to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
- Xi Jinping, President of China
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
- Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President
- Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian President
- Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egyptian President
- Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian President
- Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopian Prime Minister
- Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Prime Minister
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
- Mauro Vieira, Brazilian foreign minister
Other leaders who will be participating in the Summit include Vice President of Uganda Jessica Alupo; Vice President of Nigeria Sen. Kashim Shettima; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov; Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Minh Hung; and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to a list shared by the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
- 12 Sept 2026, 09:37:54 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: Chinese journalist sees ‘good opportunity’ to improve ties
BRICS summit India LIVE: Chinese journalist Ren Yan said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India after seven years presents a good opportunity for the leaders of the two countries to discuss issues and improve bilateral ties.
“Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India after 7 long years... China and India are good neighbors and also have great civilizations. I think the BRICS summit has provided a good platform for the leaders of China and India to meet together and discuss many issues. So I think it's a good opportunity for the leaders of the two nations to improve the relationship between our two countries," he told news agency ANI.
Ren also highlighted the 20th anniversary of BRICS, saying the grouping has provided a platform for Global South countries to cooperate in areas including trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 09:20:15 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: China's Southern airlines to resume Guangzhou-New Delhi flights ahead of Xi's visit
BRICS summit India LIVE: China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, marking the relaunch of its India service after a six-year suspension, China's Global Times reported.
The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia following the restart, China’s Global Times reported, citing the carrier.
- 12 Sept 2026, 09:04:07 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: Ahead of Modi-Xi meet, China vows to ‘properly handle differences’
BRICS summit India LIVE: China said it will work with India to “properly handle differences” ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Asked about the meeting, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said this will be the third consecutive year that the two leaders meet, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed," she said.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 08:59:21 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: Foreign journalist praises India's local flavours in media kit
BRICS summit India LIVE: Several foreign journalists have praised the thoughtful selection of items in the ministry of external affairs’ media kit, with a German media delegate telling news agency ANI, “I have been to the BRICS summits in Brazil and South Africa, but this is the best bag.”
The MEA’s media kit gives journalists from India and across the world a glimpse of the country’s rich cultural diversity ahead of the September 12–13 summit.
From Bihar’s earthy sattu to Koraput’s hill-grown coffee and Gujarat’s intricate handicrafts, India’s culinary traditions, local produce and artisanal skills are taking centre stage alongside high diplomacy at the 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi.
- 12 Sept 2026, 08:42:20 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: What is on agenda today
1. The BRICS leaders will begin arriving at Bharat Mandapam from 2pm on Saturday. The first closed session, scheduled for 2.35pm, will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.”
2. The leaders will later visit the Bharat Innovates exhibition before posing for a family photograph and participating in a joint tree plantation. Modi will host a gala dinner for the visiting leaders at 7.30pm.
3. The summit will continue on Sunday with the arrival of leaders of BRICS partner countries and outreach invitees. An open session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” is scheduled for 10.50am.
4. A meeting between PM Modi and China's President Xi Jinping is expected to be the highlight of the day as the two leaders are meeting on Indian soil after seven years.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 08:32:33 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: India hails ‘growing cooperation’ as Belarus foreign minister arrives in Delhi
BRICS summit India LIVE: Belarus foreign minister Maxim Ryzhenkov arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit.
Ministry of external affairs spokespersonRandhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Ryzhenkov on X, he wrote: “ India and Belarus share warm and friendly relations, marked by growing cooperation across a broad range of areas, in bilateral and multilateral.”
- 12 Sept 2026, 08:28:01 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: Morning visuals from Bharat Mandapam ahead of key summit
BRICS summit India LIVE: Visuals from outside Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where the 18th BRICS Summit is set to begin today, September 12.
The two-day summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
India, a founding member of BRICS, has previously held the grouping’s chairship three times — in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
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- 12 Sept 2026, 08:24:28 AM IST
BRICS summit India LIVE: Xi Jinping leaves Beijing with high-level delegation
BRICS summit India LIVE: Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday for New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.
His entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, Xinhua reported.