India will host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries along with outreach invitees.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India, which assumed the BRICS Chairship for 2026 on January 1, has chosen the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” for its chairship. The theme reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the principle of “Humanity First.”
During the two-day summit, leaders are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries on shared priorities, besides exchanging views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Over 350 BRICS meetings held across India
India’s year-long BRICS Chairship has witnessed an extensive programme of engagements across the country. More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities so far.
These engagements have focused on strengthening the BRICS strategic partnership across its three broad pillars – political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The chairship has also placed emphasis on business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, with India seeking to translate BRICS cooperation into practical and development-oriented outcomes.
The upcoming summit will provide an opportunity for leaders to take stock of these initiatives and provide further direction to cooperation within the grouping.
India’s fourth BRICS Chairship
India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held the grouping’s chairship in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 2026 chairship marks India’s fourth time leading the grouping.
The year is also significant for BRICS as the grouping completes 20 years since its establishment.
