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BRICS Summit Seeks Cooperation Despite China’s Growing Influence and Divisions
BRICS is a group of 11 countries that met in New Delhi.
The countries do not agree on everything, especially because wars are happening near some members.
Even so, they agreed to work together on technology, society, trade and energy.
BRICS wants developing countries to have more influence in major global institutions.
It also wants members to be able to trade using their own currencies.
A single BRICS currency is no longer a major immediate goal.
China is the biggest economic force inside the group, which makes India cautious.
The article says BRICS could become stronger if it cooperates more while becoming less controlled by China.
The BRICS summit in New Delhi produced a joint declaration seeking cooperation despite differences among its 11 members and two ongoing wars.
BRICS represents about 40 percent of global GDP and 26 percent of world trade, positioning itself as a counterweight to the United States.
Members called for stable trade, supply chains and energy flows in West Asia, while criticizing attacks on Occupied Palestine and protectionist trade measures.
A common BRICS currency has largely been shelved, but members are expanding settlements in local currencies and exploring alternatives to dollar-based transactions.
China accounts for more than 60 percent of BRICS trade, prompting concern in India that the yuan could become the grouping’s de facto currency.
- Who
- The 11 BRICS member countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, participated in the summit.
- What
- The summit produced a joint declaration supporting cooperation across technology, social sectors, trade, energy and financial settlements.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The summit had just concluded when the article was published on September 13, 2026.
- Why
- The members sought common ground despite strategic disagreements and aimed to increase developing countries’ influence in global governance and reduce transaction costs through local-currency trade.
BRICS Supporters
BRICS Critics and Cautious Members
Global influence
BRICS Supporters
Supporters see BRICS as a counterweight to the United States that can give developing countries a greater voice in institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, United Nations Security Council, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Trade Organization.
BRICS Critics and Cautious Members
Critics argue that China and Russia use BRICS to expand their influence and that China exercises disproportionate control over the grouping.
Currency and payment systems
BRICS Supporters
Supporters favor local-currency settlements because they can reduce transaction costs and provide an alternative to dollar-based transactions, especially amid sanctions on Russia.
BRICS Critics and Cautious Members
India is not comfortable with the yuan becoming the de facto BRICS currency and has clarified that it is not part of a broader de-dollarization project.
Prospects for cooperation
BRICS Supporters
The joint declaration and agreement on trade, supply chains and energy are presented as evidence that BRICS can cooperate despite conflicts and opposing national positions.
BRICS Critics and Cautious Members
The grouping remains fractious, and its long-term credibility may be limited unless it becomes less China-driven.
Key facts
- Summit location
- New Delhi, India
- Publication date
- September 13, 2026
- BRICS membership
- 11 countries
- Share of global GDP
- About 40 percent
- Share of world trade
- About 26 percent
- China’s share of BRICS trade
- More than 60 percent
- Financial direction
- A common BRICS currency has largely been shelved, while local-currency settlement is expanding
Sources
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