2026 BRICS Summit Approaches in New Delhi as India Pushes Global South Agenda
New Delhi is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12–13, with the main meetings taking place at Bharat Mandapam. India is holding the BRICS chair this year, and the summit comes as the grouping marks 20 years since its creation.
India has chosen the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with New Delhi seeking to turn the expanded grouping into a platform for practical cooperation on economic, financial, technological and development issues.
The summit will bring together leaders from the 11 BRICS member countries, along with partner countries and outreach invitees. The expanded membership includes major emerging economies such as China, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE and South Africa, alongside Brazil and India.
Global governance is expected to be a major subject. India wants stronger representation for developing countries in institutions such as the United Nations and international financial institutions, while promoting a more inclusive international system.
Economic cooperation will also be high on the agenda. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, supply-chain resilience, financial cooperation, digital technology and ways to expand economic links among BRICS economies.
India is also preparing to push a proposal for faster sharing of financial and investigative information among BRICS countries to help track economic fugitives who cross borders after allegedly committing major financial crimes.
The summit carries particular geopolitical importance because Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India, potentially marking his first trip to the country since 2019. His expected presence could provide an opportunity for India and China to further manage tensions that followed their 2020 border clashes.
The broader geopolitical environment will make the meeting especially significant. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, major-power competition and pressure on the global economy are expected to shape discussions among the increasingly diverse BRICS membership.
New Delhi has mounted a massive security operation ahead of the gathering. Around 25,000 security personnel, including elite National Security Guard commandos, are being deployed, with extensive traffic restrictions planned around diplomatic routes, hotels and the summit venue.
The city is also undergoing a major makeover. Authorities have landscaped roads, installed floral displays and murals, upgraded public spaces and prepared cultural programmes for visiting delegations, recalling preparations for the 2023 G20 summit.
For India, the summit represents an opportunity to demonstrate that its BRICS presidency can deliver practical economic and diplomatic outcomes, rather than simply serve as a forum for political statements.
The final test will be whether the expanded BRICS grouping can overcome its internal differences and produce concrete agreements on trade, finance, technology and global governance. The summit will conclude with the expected adoption of a New Delhi Declaration.
