Archive · 23 Aug 2026
India's BRICS Chairship Advances Global South Cooperation and Maritime Outreach
India is preparing to lead BRICS and wants countries in the Global South to work more closely together.
BRICS focuses on security, economic growth, politics, and cultural exchanges.
India says decisions should be made through agreement among members.
It also wants BRICS projects to produce practical results.
The planned summit theme is about resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.
India describes its approach as putting people and humanity first.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the SAGAR vision for security and growth in the Indian Ocean Region.
That vision has expanded into MAHA SAGAR, which includes economic cooperation, technology-sharing, and digital connections across the Global South.
India also sees its navy and maritime routes as important tools for regional cooperation.
A report says India’s BRICS chairship will prioritize Global South cooperation and reforms to global governance.
Political and security cooperation, economic development, and cultural exchanges are identified as BRICS’ core pillars.
India’s approach emphasizes consensus-based decisions and practical projects across sectors.
The proposed 18th BRICS summit theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
India’s SAGAR vision has evolved into MAHA SAGAR, expanding maritime cooperation, technology-sharing, and connectivity across the Global South.
- Who
- India, BRICS member countries, and the wider Global South; the report also cites Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives.
- What
- India’s upcoming BRICS chairship is expected to promote Global South cooperation, global-governance reform, and practical projects.
- When
- During India’s chairship and preparations for the 18th BRICS summit; no specific date is given.
- Where
- BRICS and the wider Global South, including the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific maritime corridor.
- Why
- The report says developing economies seek greater autonomy amid geopolitical shifts, geo-economic imbalances, and challenges to the rule-based multilateral system.
- BRICS summit
- India is expected to host the 18th BRICS summit.
- Proposed theme
- “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
- Approach
- A “humanity first” and “people-centred” approach focused on inclusive cooperation.
- Core pillars
- Political and security cooperation, economic development, and cultural exchanges.
- SAGAR
- “Security and Growth for All in the Region,” a vision for the Indian Ocean Region first unveiled by Narendra Modi in 2015.
- MAHA SAGAR
- An expanded version of the SAGAR vision covering economic diplomacy, technology-sharing, and digital connectivity across the Global South.
- Maritime trade
- The report says nearly two-thirds of global commerce uses the Indo-Pacific maritime corridor and about 90% of India’s trade moves by sea.