BRICS Summit 2026: Key issues, agenda and challenges ahead of New Delhi meet
India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with leaders from the 11-member grouping expected to attend. The summit is being closely watched as it brings together Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others, at a time of heightened geopolitical tension. India assumed the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2026, and will hand over the role to China at the end of the year. This is the fourth time India is chairing the grouping, having previously done so in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
BRICS today comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia. The grouping began in 2006 as a forum of Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. In 2024, it expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and Indonesia became the latest full member in 2025. Ten countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, participate as partner countries.
As chair, India has been organising ministerial and working group meetings on shared priorities. The role involves ensuring that the diverse concerns of the bloc are heard, while also coordinating negotiations to produce a final summit declaration. So far, meetings have covered areas such as space economy, agriculture, disaster resilience, women’s empowerment, culture, and labour. Members have also adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to coordinated efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
The theme of this year’s summit is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. According to India’s presidency documents, the core values guiding the summit include inclusive growth, shared responsibility, practical cooperation, and a people-centric approach. The theme aims to use the collective strength of member countries to respond to global challenges.
BRICS countries are home to at least 50% of the world’s population and represent emerging economies seeking a larger role in the global order. The grouping’s political and economic influence has grown with expansion, particularly in giving voice to Global South concerns. Any discussions on trade, development and cooperation are therefore of international significance.
India has outlined its key priorities for the summit. During the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting on May 14, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of strengthening supply chains, diversifying markets, and building climate-resilient infrastructure. Partnerships in agriculture, innovation, and health were also emphasised, with clean energy and sustainable growth expected on the agenda.
The summit, however, takes place amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, including the wars in Iran and Ukraine, which have caused global disruption. India faces the challenge of managing the heterogeneous interests of BRICS members while being mindful of how its leadership is perceived in other groupings such as the Quad. Balancing these interests will be key to ensuring a successful summit and a credible declaration.
