India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026. It is India’s fourth BRICS chairship, which began on 1 January 2026. The summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It will focus on multilateralism, inclusive growth, innovation, sustainability and stronger cooperation among emerging economies.
For UPSC, APSC and other State PCS aspirants, the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 is important for International Relations, global governance, and multilateral institutions. Moreover, it also focuses on the Global South, international trade, financial cooperation and India’s foreign policy.
What Is the 18th BRICS Summit 2026?
- The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 is the annual leaders’ meeting of BRICS countries, hosted by India during its 2026 presidency. The summit will bring together leaders of the 11 full BRICS members, along with partner countries and outreach invitees.
What is the theme of 18th BRICS Summit 2026?
- India has chosen the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The broader approach also reflects the principle of “Humanity First”, with an emphasis on people-centred development.
- The year 2026 also has special importance because BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment. India assumed the chairship for the fourth time, after its earlier chairships in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
How Did BRICS Evolve as a Global Grouping?
History of BRICS:
- In 2006, BRIC was formalised at the first BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
- In 2009, the inaugural BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, marking the beginning of the leaders’ summit process.
- Thereafter, in 2010-2011, South Africa joined BRIC in 2010, expanding BRIC to BRICS. It then participated in the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China, in 2011.
- In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE became full BRICS members, significantly expanding the grouping.
- Afterward, in January 2025, Indonesia joined BRICS as a full member, further strengthening the grouping’s representation.
- In addition to the full members, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as Partner Countries in 2025.
Together, these members account for around 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade, according to the Government of India. These figures highlight the growing economic weight of the grouping in global affairs.
Who are the Members and Partner Countries of BRICS?
The expansion has increased BRICS’ reach beyond its original core members. In 2026, the grouping also includes BRICS Partner Countries, which participate in the wider cooperation framework.
- BRICS consists of 11 member countries. These are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Indonesia.
- Moreover, there are partner countries of BRICS. These are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
What Is the Agenda of the 18th BRICS Summit 2026?
- The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 will focus on strengthening cooperation among member countries while addressing major global and regional challenges.
- The first major leaders’ session will focus on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.”
- Another open session will address “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
- India is expected to emphasise practical cooperation in areas such as Global governance, multilateralism, trade and investment, innovation and startups. Moreover, there will be deliberation on sustainable development, green energy, resilient global supply chains. Furthermore, areas like financial cooperation, food and energy security and technology cooperation are expected to get attention during the summit.
These priorities reflect India’s attempt to make BRICS more development-oriented and responsive to the concerns of the Global South.
Why Is the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 Important for India?
The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 gives India an important platform to shape discussions on the future of global governance.
- First, India can use the forum to push for greater representation of developing countries in institutions like UN, IMF etc.
- Second, BRICS provides India with an additional platform for strengthening economic cooperation beyond traditional Western-led institutions. Discussions around local-currency trade, digital payments, financial connectivity and development cooperation can support this objective.
- Third, India can promote cooperation in technology, startups, green energy and resilient supply chains. These areas directly support India’s economic and strategic priorities.
At the same time, India must balance different interests within the expanded grouping. BRICS includes countries with different political systems, strategic priorities and positions on global conflicts. Therefore, building consensus remains a major challenge.
BRICS and the Global South
One of the most important themes behind the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 is the changing role of the Global South.
BRICS provides emerging and developing countries with a common platform to discuss and address major global challenges. Through this forum, members focus on development financing, climate change, food and energy security. Moreover, they also focus on reform of global institutions, technology access, and strengthening trade and investment cooperation. Furthermore, BRICS promotes greater representation of developing nations in global decision-making processes.
India has consistently advocated a more representative international order. Therefore, its BRICS presidency provides an opportunity to connect the group’s agenda with the wider interests of developing countries.
However, BRICS should not be viewed simply as an anti-Western bloc. India has strong economic and strategic relationships with the United States, Europe, Japan and other partners. Its approach therefore focuses more on strategic autonomy, multipolarity and issue-based cooperation.
Key Facts About the 18th BRICS Summit 2026
| Particular | Key Fact |
| Summit | 18th BRICS Summit |
| Host country | India |
| Venue | Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi |
| Dates | 12 – 13 September 2026 |
| Chair | India |
| Theme | Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability |
| Broader approach | Humanity First |
| Full members | 11 |
| India’s BRICS chairship | Fourth |
| BRICS established | 2006 |
The official BRICS India 2026 portal provides information on India’s chairship, summit programme and related initiatives.
Conclusion
The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 represents an important moment in India’s engagement with emerging economies and the Global South. By hosting the summit, India gets an opportunity to promote inclusive global governance, economic cooperation, innovation, sustainability and institutional reform.
For UPSC and APSC aspirants, the summit should not be studied as a collection of facts alone. Instead, understand it through the larger themes of multipolarity, strategic autonomy, Global South cooperation and reform of global institutions. This approach will help you use the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 effectively in Prelims, Mains and Interview preparation.
UPSC/APSC Prelims Practice Questions:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding BRICS:
- BRICS was initially formed as BRIC with Brazil, Russia, India and China as its founding members.
- South Africa joined the grouping in 2010, transforming BRIC into BRICS.
- The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
UPSC/APSC Mains Practice:
Q. “India’s BRICS Chairship provides an opportunity to strengthen the voice of the Global South and promote a more representative global order.” Discuss. (250 words)
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Source:
India holds the chairship for BRICS Summit 2026. It will take place on 12-13 September, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The theme for BRICS Summit 2026 is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The broader approach of BRICS Summit 2026 is “Humanity First” with an emphasis on people-centred development.
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