India to Chair BRICS in 2026, Host 18th Summit in New Delhi
India will chair BRICS in 2026 and host the 18th Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September, with a theme focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
India is set to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026, marking its fourth turn at the helm of the grouping since its inception. The 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, with India guiding the bloc's agenda under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
The theme reflects India's emphasis on consolidating existing achievements and strengthening institutional effectiveness, while placing development, sustainability and innovation at the centre of the agenda. It also underscores the aspirations of the Global South, with India seeking to reinforce BRICS as a constructive, solutions-oriented forum.
From Acronym to Bloc
The journey of BRICS began in 2001, when the term "BRIC" was coined in a Goldman Sachs Global Economics Paper titled The World Needs Better Economic BRICs. The paper projected that Brazil, Russia, India and China would rank among the world's largest economies over the following five decades. What started as an analytical construct evolved into a formal political cooperation forum in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2010–2011 to transform BRIC into BRICS.
The 2008 global financial crisis proved a defining moment. It exposed gaps in the existing financial architecture and prompted the four founding members to articulate a common position calling for a more representative international financial system, greater voice for emerging economies in the IMF and World Bank, and opposition to protectionism. This coordination laid the groundwork for the first BRIC Summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
A Wider Membership
A major expansion phase began in January 2024, when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE became full members. Indonesia joined as the eleventh full member in January 2025. A Partner Country category was also created, with ten countries joining during 2025: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Today, BRICS comprises 11 countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. Collectively, they represent 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade. The expanded membership spans Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, bringing together major markets, natural resources, technological capabilities and varied development experiences.
Agenda and Cooperation
BRICS was initially conceived as a forum for dialogue on major international issues, promoting a more democratic, legitimate and balanced global order. Over successive summits, its agenda has expanded to cover terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, trade, agriculture, labour, telecommunications and international finance. The grouping advocates for greater representation and equity in international institutions, including the WTO and global financial architecture.
The Partner Country framework broadens outreach without altering the full-membership structure, strengthening South-South cooperation across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eurasia. It reflects growing interest among emerging economies in participating in global governance discussions.
The BRICS Presidency rotates annually, beginning on 1 January and concluding on 31 December, with the chair setting the year's priorities and organising the annual Summit. With the recent expansion, a new rotation formula is being discussed among members. India has previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021.