A Summit for a New Era
India is hosting the BRICS summit for the fourth time, a testament to its foundational role in the bloc. The theme for its 2026 chairship is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” signalling a focus on practical outcomes
over pure rhetoric. As leaders from member nations, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, arrive in the capital, the summit at Bharat Mandapam is set against a backdrop of significant global shifts and a transformed BRICS identity. This year's gathering is not just a routine diplomatic meeting; it is the first major test of the bloc’s cohesion and ambition following its most significant expansion to date.
An Expanded and More Complex Bloc
The BRICS of 2026 is vastly different from its original form. What began as a grouping of five major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has now grown to eleven full members. The additions of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia have dramatically increased the bloc's scale and influence. Collectively, the group now represents nearly half of the world's population and approximately 40% of the global GDP. This expansion brings together major energy producers, key maritime trade hubs, and diverse economies, giving the bloc a more formidable presence. However, this diversity also introduces new complexities and potential fault lines, as members navigate differing foreign policies and regional priorities.
The Core Agenda: Reforming and Rebuilding
At the heart of the summit's agenda is a continued push for a more multipolar world order. A key session will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.” This includes long-standing calls to reform global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to give a greater voice to developing countries. Economically, the priorities are tangible. Leaders will discuss strengthening supply chain resilience, particularly in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. There is also a strong focus on enhancing trade and investment using local currencies and advancing alternative payment mechanisms like BRICS Pay, which aims to create a system less reliant on Western financial infrastructure. Furthermore, India is championing initiatives like the BRICS Platform for Digital Public Goods to share open-source technology for development.
India’s Balancing Act as Host
For India, this summit is a major diplomatic undertaking. As chair, it must steer discussions and build consensus among a larger and more varied group of nations, some of whom have complex relationships with each other and the West. The geopolitical landscape, including ongoing conflicts involving member states, adds another layer of challenge. New Delhi's approach is to position BRICS as a constructive platform for the Global South, focusing on shared developmental goals. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India's potential to drive the bloc's economic agenda through its expanding market, manufacturing capabilities, and digital innovation. India's leadership aims to safeguard its strategic autonomy while fostering cooperation, acting as a bridge within the group to ensure it remains a credible and effective forum for emerging economies.
