BRICS Summit 2026: India Hosts Global Leaders in New Delhi — Agenda, Members and Key Issues
BRICS Summit 2026: India is all set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026, bringing together leaders of major emerging economies at a time of significant geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India's fourth BRICS chairship. The meeting is expected to focus on global economic cooperation, development, technology, sustainability, trade, financial reform and the concerns of the Global South.
India's 2026 BRICS chairship is being guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The theme reflects India's attempt to make BRICS a more practical and solutions-oriented platform for emerging economies.
What is BRICS?
BRICS began as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa later joined, giving the group its familiar BRICS name.
The bloc has expanded significantly in recent years. Today, BRICS has 11 full members:
Brazil
Russia
India
China
South Africa
Egypt
Ethiopia
Iran
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
According to the Government of India, these 11 countries together account for around 49.5% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
The expansion has transformed BRICS from a relatively small emerging-market grouping into one of the most important platforms representing the interests of developing and emerging economies.
When and Where Will BRICS Summit 2026 Take Place?
The 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit will take place on:
Date: September 12–13, 2026
Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India
Host: India
BRICS Chair: India
The summit is the culmination of a year-long programme of ministerial meetings, expert discussions, business events and sectoral engagements organised under India's chairship.
What is India's BRICS 2026 Theme?
India has selected “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” as the overarching theme for its 2026 BRICS chairship.
The four ideas behind the theme are particularly relevant to the challenges facing emerging economies.
Resilience
BRICS countries are dealing with disruptions in global supply chains, energy markets, food security and international trade. Greater cooperation could help members build more resilient economies.
Innovation
Technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and innovation are becoming increasingly important to economic growth.
India has placed considerable emphasis on digital transformation and technology cooperation during its BRICS chairship.
Cooperation
Economic and financial cooperation remains one of the core objectives of BRICS. The bloc is looking at ways to increase trade, investment and coordination among its members.
Sustainability
Climate change, clean energy, sustainable development and environmental cooperation are also expected to remain important parts of the BRICS agenda.
Modi, Xi Jinping Meeting: Why It Matters
One of the most closely watched developments around the summit is the expected meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China's Foreign Ministry said on September 11 that arrangements were being made for a meeting between the two leaders during Xi's visit to India for the BRICS summit. Beijing has said it wants to strengthen communication and cooperation with India while managing differences between the two countries.
The meeting could be significant because India-China relations have experienced considerable tensions since the 2020 border crisis.
Although relations have shown signs of improvement, differences remain over security, trade, investment and border issues. A high-level meeting in New Delhi could therefore provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss the future direction of bilateral relations.
However, expectations should remain realistic. A single meeting is unlikely to resolve all outstanding differences between the two countries.
Modi-Putin Meeting Ahead of BRICS Summit
Another important diplomatic engagement took place on September 11, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi ahead of the summit.
The two leaders discussed the India-Russia strategic partnership, including energy, defence and international conflicts. India and Russia are also seeking to increase bilateral trade, with a longer-term target of $100 billion by 2030.
Russia remains an important energy partner for India, making the relationship particularly significant at a time when global energy markets are facing major disruptions.
Iran and the Middle East Will Also Be Important
Iran's role could become another major issue at this year's summit.
Iran joined BRICS as part of the bloc's recent expansion, and the current geopolitical situation in West Asia has increased the importance of discussions around energy security, shipping routes and regional stability.
Prime Minister Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on September 11 ahead of the summit. The two leaders discussed the importance of protecting navigation, trade routes and the safety of seafarers amid continuing regional tensions.
For India, secure maritime routes are particularly important because disruptions to shipping can directly affect energy supplies, trade and Indian workers in the region.
Will BRICS Challenge the US Dollar?
One of the most frequently discussed BRICS issues is the possibility of reducing dependence on the US dollar in international trade.
However, the situation is more complicated than headlines suggesting that BRICS is simply trying to “replace the dollar.”
The group has been discussing ways to improve cross-border payments and increase the use of local currencies. Ahead of the New Delhi summit, BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors also called for stronger coordination on payment systems and faster, cheaper and more secure cross-border transactions.
India is also pushing discussions around connecting digital currencies and improving interoperability between financial systems.
The objective is better payment connectivity and greater financial flexibility rather than an immediate replacement of the dollar.
Global Financial Institutions Could Be a Major Topic
Reforming international financial institutions is another important issue.
BRICS finance chiefs have called for reforms to institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, arguing that their structures should better reflect the growing economic importance of emerging-market economies.
This is closely connected to India's broader push for a stronger voice for developing countries in global decision-making.
Why Is BRICS Important for the Global South?
BRICS has increasingly positioned itself as an important platform for the Global South.
Developing countries face common challenges involving debt, energy security, food supplies, climate finance, technology access and infrastructure.
BRICS gives its members an opportunity to coordinate positions on these issues and seek greater representation in international institutions.
India has repeatedly emphasised that the concerns of developing countries should receive greater attention in global economic and political decision-making.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Technology is becoming another major area of BRICS cooperation.
India's chairship has included discussions on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.
At the BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting held in August, member countries discussed resilient digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital skills and innovation.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to remain an important part of discussions about the future digital economy.
For India, this provides an opportunity to promote its experience with digital public infrastructure while encouraging cooperation among BRICS countries.
BRICS and Climate Change
Sustainability is one of the four pillars of India's BRICS chairship.
The group has been working on areas such as environmental cooperation, sustainable development, climate-related challenges and green technologies.
India also hosted BRICS environmental meetings in New Delhi in August, where member countries discussed shared environmental priorities and cooperation for a more sustainable future.
What Does BRICS Mean for India?
Hosting the BRICS Summit gives India an important diplomatic and economic opportunity.
The country can use the platform to strengthen relations with major emerging economies, promote trade and investment, discuss energy security and push for reforms in international institutions.
It also gives India an opportunity to highlight issues affecting developing countries and reinforce its role as a bridge between different parts of the global economy.
Challenges Facing BRICS
Despite its growing influence, BRICS faces several challenges.
The biggest challenge is that its members do not always share the same political or economic interests.
India and China have unresolved strategic differences. Russia has a deeply complicated relationship with Western countries. Iran faces major geopolitical tensions, while other BRICS members maintain different relationships with the United States and Europe.
The expansion of the bloc has therefore increased its influence but also made consensus more difficult.
BRICS should also not be viewed as a military alliance similar to NATO. It is primarily a platform for economic, political and development cooperation.
What to Watch at the New Delhi Summit
Several developments will be closely watched during the September 12–13 summit:
The Modi-Xi Jinping meeting
India-Russia strategic and energy cooperation
BRICS' position on global conflicts
Cross-border payment cooperation
Digital currency and financial technology discussions
Reform of global financial institutions
Trade and investment among BRICS countries
Climate and sustainable development initiatives
Artificial intelligence and digital cooperation
The final BRICS declaration from New Delhi
Conclusion
The 2026 BRICS Summit is taking place at a crucial moment for the global economy and international politics.
With India hosting the meeting in New Delhi, the summit gives the country an opportunity to shape discussions on trade, finance, technology, energy, sustainability and the future of the Global South.
The presence of leaders such as Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin also gives the summit considerable geopolitical importance.
The real test, however, will be the outcomes. BRICS has grown significantly in size and influence, but its future impact will depend on whether its members can overcome their differences and translate broad ambitions into practical cooperation.
The New Delhi Summit on September 12–13, 2026 will therefore be closely watched not only by BRICS members but by governments, businesses and investors around the world.
