BRICS Summit 2026: India is going to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. This conference is happening at a time when BRICS is completing 20 years of its establishment. The platform has no longer been a group of economic cooperation, but has become an important platform to discuss global politics, business, finance and multipolar world order.
This group started from Brazil, Russia, India and China today has reached 11 member countries. In recent years, the inclusion of countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia has increased its global presence and growth. In such a question, whether the BRICS is sustained on its core objectives or the changing geopolitical conditions have erected new challenges in front of it.
BRICS Summit 2026: India hosting 4th time BRICS
This time the Summit is being organized in India Pavilion. India from Brazil on 1st January 2026 BRICS The presidency was handled. It is the fourth time India is chairing this organization. Earlier in 2012, 2016 and 2021, India has taken this responsibility.
The theme of the Summit is "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability". It aims to strengthen cooperation, economic development and multilateral arrangements between changing global conditions.
G-7 has left behind BRICS
The share of BRICS countries has grown rapidly in the global economy over two decades. The joint share of Brazil, Russia, India and China in the year 2000 was about 23 per cent of the global GDP (percheating power parity). At the same time G-7 countries share was about 52 per cent.
But the picture changed by 2024. The 11-member extended BRICS group began to hold about 36.8 percent stake of the global GDP, while the G-7 share came below 29 percent. This change reflects the change in the center of economic strength of the world.
Though there is still a big difference in terms of income per person. The average per person in G-7 countries is about 53 thousand dollars, while in BRICS countries it is around $8,200. This means the strength of BRICS mainly comes from its vast population, natural resources, and large markets. (BRICS Summit 2026)
BRICS intensifies in Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at 1:15 am Friday, followed by President Masoud Pezeshkian at 2 pm. ChinesePresident #XiJinping Last updated: 15-Nov-2017 11:52 pm PM Modi in the evening. ...
— Raksha Samachar | 🇮🇳 (@RakshaSamachar) September 10, 2018
How did the BRICS begin?
BRICS started as BRIC in 2006. At that time Brazil, Russia, India and China were being seen as the rapidly growing economies of the future. Later held the first brick summit in the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009.
South Africa joined the year 2010 and the group name became BRICS. It was then made a member to Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE in 2024. Indonesia also became a full member in January 2025.
Today this group represents the world’s large emerging economies and presents itself as a voice of global South i.e. developing countries. (BRICS Summit 2026)
Global institutions demand improvements
Since the establishment of BRICS, it has been a major demand that international institutions have been improved. UN, International Currency Fund The impact of Western countries is considered higher today in institutions like IMF and World Bank.
BRICS countries argue that the world’s economic and political power has changed does not appear in these entities. Due to this, the group has been seeking greater representation, financial reform and multipolar world order. (BRICS Summit 2026)
India’s strategy: active role on all forums
Joining India’s BRICS is considered part of its comprehensive strategic policy. New Delhi is simultaneously active in forums like BRICS, G-20, Quad and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
India adopts the policy to pursue its interests on different forums without being part of a military alliance. This is why India is playing a key role in BRICS.
During the BRICS conference in New Delhi in 2012, India had proposed to build a development bank. Later this proposal came out as New Development Bank (NDB). (BRICS Summit 2026)
Increasing Role of New Development Bank
The New Development Bank established by BRICS countries today is counted in the largest institutional achievements of the group.
By the middle of 2026, the bank had approved about 141 projects, with a total price of about 44 billion dollars. The relationship of these projects is associated with infrastructure, energy, transportation and sustainable development.
India considers this bank an important medium of financial cooperation for developing countries. (BRICS Summit 2026)
But the differences growing within the BRICS
The increasing strength of the BRICS as well as the differences within it begin to emerge. The biggest difference is what the basic objective of the group should be.
china And Russia see the BRICS as a substitute for the Western influence and the US-led arrangement. Both countries consider it a platform to change global power balance.
China believes that "Global South" in the expansion of BRICS will strengthen the voice of developing countries. While Russia, the Western sanctions and swift payment system considers BRICS as a key platform for economic cooperation and business.
India and Brazil have different views on the other hand. India and Brazil consider BRICS a platform mainly associated with economic growth, trade, investment, and global economic reform. They do not see it as a political or strategic alliance.
The difference has been opened on multiple occasions. As an example Russia had suggested to do in the oil payment yuan from India in 2023, but India preferred the payment in dollars and rupees.
According to experts, India adopts the policy of "Multi-Linement". This means that India remains together a member of several international groups and does not go into one of the consignments. That is why India is active in different forums such as BRICS, G-20, Quad and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), but not part of a military alliance. (BRICS Summit 2026)
Iran and UAE raise new challenge
Geopolitical challenges have also grown within the group after the expansion of BRICS. The example of the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi in May 2026.
During the meeting, members cannot agree on the Joint Declaration Form. Its main reasons were differences between Iran and the UAE. Both countries are members of the same group, but their views on many issues of West Asia are different.
India had to issue a chair statement as host country, stating that there are different views about the state of West Asia between a few member countries.
The event showed that making consensus with increasing the number of member countries has become more difficult than before. (BRICS Summit 2026)
Try to make distances from dollars
BRICS has long been discussed about reducing the dollar dependence between countries. Though the idea of creating a shared BRICS currency is not found to proceed at the moment. It is because US President Donald Trump warned that the dollar could take 100 percent of tariffs when it comes to new currency.
Instead, members are focusing on increasing trade in their national currencies.
Russia and China are now disposing bilateral trades over 90 percent in rubles and yuan. A large amount of payments between India and Russia have been made in national currencies.
Rupee-Dirham Payment System is applicable from July 2023 between India and UAE. While India and Indonesia launched the Rupee-Rupia payment system in July 2026. (BRICS Summit 2026)
Focus on BRICS Pay System
The BRICS Pay system is also the key topic of discussion at the summit of 2026. The purpose of this system is to connect the payment network of member countries to mutually.
It plans to include SPFS, China’s CIPS, India’s UPI and Brazil’s Picks Network. Business payments between member countries can be made without relying on dollar based banking channels.
India considers interoperable central bank digital currency and digital payment cooperation more practical options in this direction. (BRICS Summit 2026)
Worldview on the New Delhi Summit
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is happening at a time when many issues such as West Asia, Russia-Ukraine conflict and global economic uncertainty are in front of the world.
The conference is expected to discuss topics such as strengthening the supply chain, improving global financial institutions, increasing the role of New Development Bank and trade expansion between member countries.
India’s focus focuses on practical areas such as digital public infrastructure, climate finance, health cooperation, supply of vital minerals, local currency payments and connectivity. (BRICS Summit 2026)















