New Delhi is preparing to take centre stage at the 18th BRICS Summit as India assumes the bloc's chairship for 2026, marking a significant moment in the evolution of one of the world's most prominent emerging-economy groupings. The summit brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several new member nations, all seeking to redefine the alliance's purpose in a rapidly shifting global order.
India's approach under its chairship is expected to prioritise tangible outcomes over symbolic gestures. Sources close to the preparation process indicate that New Delhi plans to push forward cooperative frameworks in cross-border trade settlement mechanisms, digital infrastructure sharing, and joint research initiatives — areas where India has accumulated considerable domestic expertise.
The expansion of BRICS in recent years, which saw the inclusion of new members from the Middle East and Africa, has transformed the bloc into a more diverse but also more complex platform. India's challenge lies in steering the group toward actionable collaboration while navigating the inherent tensions between some member states, particularly the longstanding strategic rivalry between India and China.
Analysts note that India's growing economy, its leadership in the Global South, and its reputation as a non-aligned diplomatic actor give it unique leverage to bridge divides within the coalition. The theme of technological self-reliance, closely aligned with India's domestic policy priorities, is expected to feature prominently in agenda discussions.
Trade cooperation remains a central pillar. India has been advocating for greater use of local currencies in bilateral trade among member nations to reduce dependence on the US dollar — a proposal that has gained traction across several BRICS capitals. Additionally, discussions around supply-chain resilience and critical-minerals partnerships are anticipated to dominate side meetings.
The summit is also expected to produce declarations on climate finance, health security cooperation, and reforms to global governance institutions such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, reflecting the bloc's continued demand for a more equitable multipolar world order.
