NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled two special postage stamps commemorating 20 years of the BRICS grouping, during the 18th BRICS Summit hosted in New Delhi. The stamps were released as part of India's efforts to highlight the significance of the bloc, which has grown into a major force in global economics and geopolitics over the past two decades.
The BRICS alliance, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was formally inaugurated in 2006 when the foreign ministers of the four founding nations — India, Brazil, Russia, and China — met in New York. South Africa joined in 2010, transforming the acronym into BRICS. Since then, the group has held an annual summit, with this year's 18th edition hosted by India in its capital city.
The commemorative stamps feature imagery reflecting the spirit of multilateral cooperation and shared development goals that have defined the BRICS partnership over 20 years. Postal officials said the stamps will be available for purchase at post offices across the country, allowing the general public to own a piece of diplomatic history.
Speaking at the summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that BRICS has evolved from a loose grouping of emerging economies into a cohesive platform advocating for a more equitable global order. He noted that the bloc now accounts for a significant share of the world's GDP, population, and trade, and called for deeper integration in areas such as trade, technology, and climate action.
The 18th BRICS Summit has drawn leaders and representatives from all member nations, along with several partner countries. Key discussions are expected to focus on expanding the bloc's financial institutions, enhancing digital cooperation, and addressing global challenges including food security and sustainable development.
India, holding a prominent role in this year's summit cycle, has positioned BRICS as a vehicle for amplifying the voices of developing nations on the world stage.
