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India Hosts BRICS 2026 Amid US-Iran War Tensions
BRICS is a group where large developing countries discuss economic and global issues.
India will lead the group and host its meeting in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026.
The meeting will include leaders from member, partner and invited countries.
BRICS includes countries such as India, China, Russia, Iran, Brazil and South Africa.
Together, its members represent a very large share of the world’s people and economy.
India wants the group to improve trade, payments and cooperation among developing countries.
The US-Iran war makes the meeting more difficult because BRICS countries do not all agree about the conflict.
India must try to encourage peace while protecting its relationships with the United States, Iran and Gulf countries.
Problems in the region could also affect India’s oil supplies, shipping, prices and economic growth.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
As BRICS chair, India is pursuing the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The expanded bloc represents about 49% of the global population, 39% of global GDP and 23% of international trade.
India is promoting cooperation on trade, global value chains, small businesses, local-currency payments and digital financial systems.
The US-Iran war creates a diplomatic test for India because BRICS members have differing interests and India also maintains ties with Washington and Gulf countries.
- Who
- India, as BRICS chair, will host leaders from BRICS member and partner countries and outreach invitees.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit will discuss cooperation among members and global and regional issues.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.
- When
- 12–13 September 2026; India assumed the BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026.
- Why
- The summit aims to strengthen BRICS cooperation and address issues including trade, finance, global governance, security and the effects of the US-Iran war.
BRICS as a Strategic Platform
BRICS as a Divided Bloc
Global influence
BRICS as a Strategic Platform
Supporters say BRICS gives emerging and developing countries a stronger collective voice and supports reforms to institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
BRICS as a Divided Bloc
Critics and analysts point to internal divisions and pushback from Western countries, which may prevent BRICS from becoming a unified global force.
Response to the US-Iran war
BRICS as a Strategic Platform
Iran wants India, as BRICS chair, to help build opposition to US military action and encourage dialogue and an end to the conflict.
BRICS as a Divided Bloc
India must avoid taking a position that damages its strategic and economic relationships with the United States, Gulf countries or other BRICS members with differing interests.
Alternative payment systems
BRICS as a Strategic Platform
Supporters say local currencies, linked fast-payment systems and central bank digital currencies could make cross-border trade cheaper and reduce dependence on traditional payment channels.
BRICS as a Divided Bloc
The discussions are expected to develop gradually and are not an immediate replacement for the dollar or a plan for a single BRICS currency.
Key facts
- Host
- India
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Summit dates
- 12–13 September 2026
- India’s chairship theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- BRICS membership
- Eleven member countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates
- Global reach
- About 49% of the world’s population, 39% of global GDP and 23% of international trade
- India’s previous chairships
- 2012, 2016 and 2021; 2026 is its fourth chairship
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs
India’s foreign ministry, which issued a statement on the 2026 BRICS chairship
“Through these engagements, and business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, India's BRICS Chairship has contributed to advancing BRICS cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes.”
livemint.com
“We believe that the solution to the issues we face lies in dialogue and cooperation, and that all available capacities must be mobilised to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict.”
livemint.com
Sources
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