India Takes the Chair
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, marking its fourth time chairing the influential group. The country formally assumed the presidency on January 1, 2026, taking the baton from Brazil. The theme for India's chairship
is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” signalling a focus on strengthening the bloc against global shocks and fostering inclusive growth. Preparations are in full swing at the Bharat Mandapam venue, with extensive security arrangements and a packed schedule that includes a business forum, closed-door leader sessions, and outreach to partner countries.
A Packed and Pointed Agenda
The discussions in New Delhi are set to be substantive, moving far beyond pleasantries. A key focus is strengthening economic resilience, including building more robust supply chains and improving logistics cooperation among member states. This is a significant priority for India as it aims to boost its manufacturing and connectivity. Another major item is promoting trade in local currencies and linking digital payment systems to reduce reliance on the US dollar, a long-standing BRICS objective that has gained urgency. The agenda also includes cooperation on energy security, digital trade, sustainable development, and global governance reform, with India aiming to make BRICS a more practical, results-oriented forum.
An Expanded, More Complex Bloc
This summit is the first major gathering under India's chairship since the bloc's recent expansion. BRICS now includes founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, plus new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025. This larger, 11-member group represents nearly half the world's population and about 40% of global GDP. While the expansion increases the bloc's economic and demographic weight, it also introduces new complexities. The group now includes regional rivals like India and China, as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia, making consensus on sensitive geopolitical issues more challenging.
What It Means for India
For India, hosting the summit is a critical diplomatic opportunity. It allows New Delhi to steer the conversation and champion the interests of the Global South. However, it also demands a delicate balancing act. India must navigate its strategic rivalry with China while also fostering cooperation within the bloc. A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly being arranged on the summit's sidelines. Furthermore, India must manage its partnerships with Western countries, particularly the US, while participating in a forum that includes sanctioned nations like Russia and Iran. India's leadership will be closely watched as it seeks to reinforce BRICS as a platform for development, not geopolitical confrontation.
Significance for the Global Order
The preparations and agenda for the New Delhi summit underscore BRICS' ambition to become a significant counterweight to Western-led institutions like the G7. The focus on local currency trade, alternative financial infrastructure, and reform of global governance highlights a collective desire for a more multipolar world. The creation of a 'Partner Country' category, which includes ten nations like Nigeria, Malaysia, and Vietnam, further extends the bloc's orbit. While internal divisions remain a challenge, the summit's outcomes, to be detailed in the New Delhi Declaration, will provide a clear indication of how this expanded group intends to shape global economic and political discourse.
