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BRICS at 20: Economic Rise Reshapes India’s Global Role
BRICS is a group of countries that work together on economic and international issues.
It started in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The group now has 11 members.
Together, its members are expected to produce a larger share of the world’s economy than the G7 in 2026.
China and India make up most of BRICS’ economic strength.
BRICS is important to India because many of India’s exports and imports involve member countries.
It also helps India with energy links, trade and relations with countries where many Indians live.
India will host the next BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2006 and now has 11 members.
The bloc is estimated to account for 41% of global GDP in 2026, compared with 28% for the G7.
BRICS represented 22% of India’s exports and 41% of its imports in 2025-26.
Nearly 89.8 lakh Indians live in BRICS countries, including more than 70 lakh in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia combined.
- Who
- BRICS member countries, including India, China, Russia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
- What
- BRICS has grown into an 11-member bloc with a larger projected share of global GDP than the G7 and growing importance for India.
- Where
- The summit will be held in New Delhi, India; BRICS members are located across several regions, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
- When
- BRICS was formed in 2006; India will host the 18th summit on September 12-13, and the bloc’s GDP share is estimated for 2026.
- Why
- The grouping matters because of its economic weight, role in India’s trade and energy security, diplomatic reach, and connections with Indian communities abroad.
Key facts
- BRICS founding
- Brazil, Russia, India and China formed the grouping in 2006.
- Current membership
- BRICS has 11 member countries.
- Projected global GDP share
- BRICS is estimated to account for 41% of global GDP in 2026, compared with 28% for the G7.
- India’s exports
- BRICS accounted for 22% of India’s exports in 2025-26.
- India’s imports
- BRICS accounted for 41% of India’s imports in 2025-26.
- Economic concentration
- China contributes 48.5% of BRICS’ economy and India contributes 20.7%.
- Indian diaspora
- Nearly 89.8 lakh of the 3.73 crore overseas Indians live in BRICS countries.
Sources
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