Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Expanded BRICS Faces Unity Test At India Summit
BRICS is a group of countries that cooperate on economic and global issues.
It has grown from five members to 11 members, plus 10 partner countries.
The group now represents a large share of the world’s people and trade.
However, its members do not always agree with one another.
India and China compete strategically, while other members have their own disagreements.
Some countries want BRICS to challenge Western influence, while others mainly want more choices and independence.
India is suggesting practical steps, such as making digital payments between countries work more easily.
The summit will show whether BRICS can turn its size and diversity into useful cooperation.
The 18th BRICS Summit will take place in New Delhi on September 12-13.
The expanded grouping includes 11 members and 10 partner countries, giving it significant demographic and economic weight.
Intra-BRICS merchandise trade exceeded $1.17 trillion in 2024, but members remain divided by competing strategic interests.
India is promoting practical cooperation, including interoperable digital payment systems, rather than an immediate common currency.
India’s challenge is to strengthen BRICS without making it China-centric or explicitly anti-Western.
- Who
- BRICS members, partner countries, and India as the current chair.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit will address cooperation in areas including trade, finance, technology, development, and global governance.
- When
- September 12-13.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To advance practical cooperation among an expanded and diverse group whose members seek greater choices and strategic autonomy.
BRICS As A Western Counterweight
BRICS As A Flexible Cooperation Platform
Purpose of the grouping
BRICS As A Western Counterweight
Some members view BRICS as a vehicle to challenge Western dominance and reduce reliance on Western-led systems.
BRICS As A Flexible Cooperation Platform
Other members see BRICS mainly as a way to gain greater voice, strategic autonomy, and more international choices.
Role of the dollar
BRICS As A Western Counterweight
A popular interpretation presents BRICS as moving toward a common currency that could challenge the dollar.
BRICS As A Flexible Cooperation Platform
India favors more practical alternatives, such as interoperable digital payment systems, without seeking to replace the dollar entirely.
Future direction
BRICS As A Western Counterweight
A larger BRICS could become a major bloc capable of reshaping the global order.
BRICS As A Flexible Cooperation Platform
Its internal rivalries may limit decisive action, making it more useful as a flexible platform for cooperation where interests overlap.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host
- India
- Dates
- September 12-13
- Location
- New Delhi
- Membership
- 11 members and 10 partner countries
- Intra-BRICS trade
- More than $1.17 trillion in merchandise trade in 2024
- India's chairship activity
- More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across over 25 Indian cities