New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a keynote address at the BRICS Summit 2026 on Thursday, emphasizing the need for member nations to come together in the spirit of resilience, innovation, and cooperative engagement on the world stage. The two-day summit brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several partner nations, with discussions anchored around the theme "Strengthening Cooperation to Promote Fair Competition, including in Renewable Energy Markets."
Modi's address centred on the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources and building equitable markets that benefit emerging economies. He argued that the BRICS bloc, representing a significant share of the global population and growing economic output, has a responsibility to champion fair competition — particularly in the renewable energy sector, where he said developing nations must not be left behind by wealthy countries' subsidies and trade barriers.
The summit has taken on heightened significance as it unfolds against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical headwinds. Tensions in multiple regions, shifting trade alliances, and ongoing debates over global governance structures have made multilateral forums like BRICS increasingly consequential. Analysts note that the grouping is being watched closely as a potential counterweight to Western-dominated international institutions.
While specific agreements from the summit were not immediately disclosed, sources close to the proceedings indicated that discussions touched upon energy security, technology transfer frameworks, and strategies to reduce dependence on single-supplier chains for critical minerals essential to green energy infrastructure. India has been vocal in recent months about its ambition to become a global manufacturing hub for solar panels and other renewable technologies.
The BRICS coalition has expanded in recent years with new members joining, further amplifying its geopolitical weight. Observers say the summit's outcomes could shape how the Global South positions itself in an era of fragmented global trade and intensifying great-power competition.
