Archive · 8 Sep 2026
India Tests Global South Leadership Through BRICS and G20
India is leading a group called BRICS and will host its summit in New Delhi.
BRICS includes many developing and emerging countries with different interests.
India wants the group to work on trade, development, technology, food, energy, and supply chains.
It also wants developing countries to have more influence in global institutions.
India says BRICS should help countries cooperate rather than force them to choose between major powers.
India can work with China and Russia in BRICS while also engaging the United States and Europe elsewhere.
This approach is called strategic multi-engagement.
A later G20 meeting in Miami will show whether India can turn its conversations into lasting influence.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
The summit follows India's 2023 G20 presidency, which highlighted developing countries' priorities and welcomed the African Union as a permanent member.
India's BRICS agenda includes development finance, technology, food and energy security, trade, and resilient supply chains.
New Delhi is presenting BRICS as a practical cooperation platform rather than a unified anti-Western bloc.
The 2026 G20 summit in Miami will test whether India can carry its Global South priorities into a US-led forum.
- Who
- India, BRICS members, developing economies, and emerging economies.
- What
- India is using its BRICS presidency to promote cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.
- When
- The BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12-13, 2026; the G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled for December 14-15, 2026.
- Where
- The BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi, and the G20 Leaders' Summit will be held in Miami.
- Why
- India wants greater representation for developing economies and seeks to shape global discussions without requiring countries to choose between major power blocs.
India's Multi-Engagement Approach
Bloc-Oriented BRICS Approach
BRICS's purpose
India's Multi-Engagement Approach
India wants BRICS to remain a practical platform for development and cooperation among diverse countries.
Bloc-Oriented BRICS Approach
China and Russia can view BRICS as part of a wider effort to promote a more multipolar international system.
Relations with major powers
India's Multi-Engagement Approach
India aims to work with China and Russia in BRICS while engaging the United States and Western partners through other platforms.
Bloc-Oriented BRICS Approach
A more bloc-oriented approach could make BRICS part of broader competition between Washington and Beijing.
Global South leadership
India's Multi-Engagement Approach
India says developing countries should gain greater representation and agency without being forced to choose sides.
Bloc-Oriented BRICS Approach
The Global South agenda could become a contest between China and the United States, limiting India's ability to unite diverse countries.
- BRICS summit
- The 18th BRICS Summit will take place in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
- India's BRICS preparations
- More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across more than 25 Indian cities.
- Official theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- 2023 G20 outcome
- The African Union became a permanent G20 member during India's presidency.
- Policy priorities
- India's agenda includes MSME finance, services trade, development finance, technology, food and energy security, and resilient supply chains.
- Next diplomatic test
- The 2026 G20 Leaders' Summit will be held in Miami on December 14-15 under the United States presidency.