The Summit's Overarching Theme
India’s chairship of BRICS for 2026 is anchored in the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. This isn't just a catchy slogan; it represents four distinct pillars that guide India's approach. The summit, scheduled
for September 12-13 in New Delhi, marks the fourth time India has chaired the bloc and coincides with the 20th anniversary of its establishment. The theme reflects a people-centric vision, aiming to move the group beyond political declarations and toward practical, development-focused outcomes. More than 350 meetings have already taken place across India in preparation for the main event.
Pillar 1: Building Resilience
A primary focus for India is to strengthen the resilience of BRICS nations against global shocks. This includes building robust systems to navigate economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, health crises, and the growing risks associated with climate change. The goal is to create economies and institutions that can adapt and support inclusive development even in a fragmented global order. Practically, this involves creating frameworks like the BRICS Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework to enhance trade connectivity and manufacturing integration among member states.
Pillar 2: Driving Innovation
Technology and innovation form the second key pillar of India's agenda. New Delhi is pushing for greater cooperation in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (fintech), and the sharing of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). India's objective is to use technology to improve service delivery, foster future-ready growth, and expand opportunities for all citizens. Specific proposals include a BRICS Incubator Network and a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to support new enterprises, alongside a repository for sharing scalable DPI solutions. This builds on past efforts, like the 'Chennai Consensus' which committed to collaborative research among developing countries.
Pillar 3: Deepening Cooperation
India aims to make cooperation within the bloc more tangible and results-oriented. This translates to deepening engagement through better policy coordination, facilitating trade, and increasing development finance via the New Development Bank (NDB). A significant part of this pillar is the push for reforms in global governance institutions, making them more representative of developing nations. The agenda is broad, covering practical collaboration in agriculture, healthcare, energy, and education, with a strong emphasis on people-centric partnerships. In health, for instance, India has promoted cooperation on mental wellness and pandemic preparedness.
Pillar 4: Ensuring Sustainability
The final pillar is sustainability, which focuses on balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. India is advocating for collective action on climate change, accelerating green finance, and promoting clean energy transitions. The agenda covers renewable energy, biofuels, energy storage, and carbon-capture technologies. A key initiative launched during India's chairship is the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage, designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and pilot projects in the energy sector. This pillar ensures that the development priorities of individual members are considered while pursuing shared environmental goals.
Navigating a Complex World
As chair, India faces the challenge of building consensus within an expanded and increasingly diverse 11-member bloc. The group includes nations with differing geopolitical stances, such as Russia, China, and Iran, alongside those navigating complex relationships with the West. A key test for India will be to steer the group towards its development-focused agenda while managing these internal fissures and external pressures. Many analysts believe the real action will happen in the bilateral meetings on the sidelines, particularly the widely anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
