BRICS 2026 Under India’s Chairship

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Indian diaspora; Important International institutions, agencies and fora—their structure and mandate.

Why in the News?

The 2026 BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi under India’s chairship.

News in Brief

• The grouping has expanded significantly and is increasingly positioned as a platform for Global South cooperation, economic coordination and reform of global governance.
• India’s 2026 BRICS agenda focuses on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
• India-China cooperation within BRICS has implications for regional and global economic stability.

BRICS – Origin, Nature and Its Three Pillars

• Original Members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Nature- BRICS is not a military alliance or treaty-based organization.
• Three Pillars- It is a platform for cooperation in,
  • Political and security affairs
  • Economic and financial matters
  • Cultural and people-to-people exchanges

These three pillars continue in the expanded BRICS framework.

Expansion of BRICS

• Current Members — 11
  • BRICS+ has expanded  to include11 member countries- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
• Partner Countries — 10
  • The grouping also has 10 partner countries- Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Significance of the expansion

The expansion has given BRICS a much wider geographical and economic reach. Its significance can be seen in the following ways,

• Stronger Global South representation- More developing and emerging economies now have a platform to raise issues of common concern.
• Greater economic weight- The expanded grouping represents a substantial share of the world’s population, resources and economic activity.
• A stronger collective voice- Members can coordinate positions on issues such as global finance, trade, development and climate change.
• Wider economic partnerships– The larger membership creates opportunities for greater trade, investment and financial cooperation.
• Push for a more multipolar order– BRICS can provide greater space for emerging economies in global decision-making.
• South-South cooperation– Expansion allows countries with different development experiences to share technology, finance and policy practices.

Why BRICS Matters for India

Voice of the Global South

• Platform for Developing Nations- BRICS lets India speak for the Global South.
• Key Issues- India highlights vital needs like development finance, climate funding, food security, and energy security.
• Technology and Reform-The group helps push for fair access to technology and the overhaul of outdated global rules.

Promoting a Multipolar World

• Balanced Power- India wants a multipolar world where no single country rules global politics.
• Strategic Autonomy- BRICS helps India build strong ties with multiple major powers at once.
• Shaping the Future- This cooperation allows India to help guide new global policies and relationships.

Reform of Global Governance

• UN and Financial System- India uses BRICS to demand changes in the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
• Fair Representation- Current global institutions often favor older western powers. BRICS pushes for a fairer voice for emerging economies.
• Financial Architecture- Reform efforts aim to make international money lending and trade rules fairer for developing states.

Economic Cooperation

• Trade and Investment- Member nations boost mutual trade and cross-border investments.
• Local Currency Trade- BRICS explores trading in local currencies to reduce reliance on the US dollar and protect against currency shocks.
• Supply Chains and Infrastructure- Cooperation builds stronger supply chains and funds critical infrastructure projects.

The New Development Bank (NDB)

• Alternative Funding- The New Development Bank(NDB) was established by BRICS to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member and developing countries.
  • The NDB acts as an alternative to traditional Western-led institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
• Financial Independence- It gives developing nations more control over their own development loans.

India – China Dimension

Areas of Convergence

• Global South- Both nations advocate for developing countries in international forums.
• Climate Change- They share positions on green transitions and common but differentiated responsibilities.
• Multilateral Reform- They push to reform global economic governance and institutions.
• Trade- Large mutual markets offer economic benefits despite imbalances.

Both countries have significant economic weight and large markets, and their cooperation can benefit not only bilateral relations but also the wider Global South.

Limits to Cooperation

BRICS functions as a diplomatic platform where India and China can cooperate on shared global interests despite unresolved bilateral strategic differences.

• Border Dispute- The unresolved Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains a primary flashpoint.
• Strategic Competition- China expands its presence in the Indian Ocean and builds the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), raising security concerns for India.
• Global Influence- Both compete for leadership and leverage within the Global South.
• World Order- India and China hold different views on the United States and the existing international framework.

India’s BRICS 2026

India’s chairship places emphasis on four broad priorities,

• R — Resilience
  • Building resilient supply chains, economies and institutions.
• I — Innovation
  • Technology, digital transformation, emerging technologies and entrepreneurship.
• C — Cooperation
  • Strengthening multilateral and South-South cooperation.
• S — Sustainability
  • Climate action, sustainable development and resource security.

India has also promoted cooperation in areas such as digital and ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital skills and innovation under its BRICS chairship.

Challenges before BRICS

• The members do not always share the same political or strategic interests, which can make it difficult to build a common position on major international issues.
• India–China border tensions and strategic competition remain a significant constraint on deeper cooperation, while the Russia–West conflict has added another layer of geopolitical complexity.
• The expansion of the grouping has also made consensus-building and coordination more challenging.
• Moreover, BRICS brings together countries with very different economic structures, levels of development, political systems and trade priorities.
• Unlike the European Union, BRICS does not have a strong, binding institutional framework, which limits its capacity for coordinated action.
• There is also a risk that BRICS could increasingly be viewed as an anti-Western grouping rather than a platform for constructive Global South cooperation, which could weaken its wider credibility and influence.

Way Forward and Conclusion

India should strengthen Global South cooperation, institutional reforms, development finance, technology and climate partnerships while maintaining dialogue with China.

BRICS should remain an inclusive and constructive platform, not an anti-Western bloc. Its success will depend on converting its diverse membership into meaningful cooperation and a stronger voice for developing countries.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding BRICS:

1. BRICS originated as an economic grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
2. South Africa became a member of BRICS in 2010.
3. The New Development Bank was established under the BRICS framework.

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

Answer: 2 and 3 only.

Mains Practice Question

Q. BRICS is emerging as a platform for Global South cooperation and a more multipolar international order. Examine its significance for India. (250 Words)

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