Archive · 27 Aug 2026
India Seeks Consensus Before Expanded BRICS New Delhi Summit
India is getting ready to host a BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
BRICS is a group of countries that work together on important issues.
The group has grown larger and now includes 11 members plus invited partner countries.
Because the members have different views, agreeing on every issue can be difficult.
This is especially true because of fighting and tensions in West Asia.
India wants the members to keep talking and find areas where they can agree.
They will discuss protecting civilians, keeping waterways open and making trade payments cheaper.
India also wants more balanced trade and continued cooperation through the New Development Bank.
More countries may join later, but only if the group agrees on how to expand.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September under its 2026 chairmanship.
The expanded grouping includes 11 members, partner countries and outreach invitees, reflecting greater diversity and differing experiences.
West Asia tensions have complicated consensus, with members previously issuing an outcome document instead of a joint declaration.
India is seeking agreement on dialogue, civilian protection, waterways, lower transaction costs and more balanced trade.
Ten partner countries have been invited, while further BRICS expansion will follow agreed procedures and consensus.
- Who
- India and the 11-member BRICS grouping, alongside invited partner countries and outreach participants.
- What
- India is seeking consensus before hosting the 18th BRICS Summit and wants progress on regional tensions, trade costs and development cooperation.
- When
- The summit is scheduled for 12–13 September under India’s 2026 chairmanship; finance ministers are expected to meet in early September.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The expanded grouping has become more diverse, while disagreements over the West Asia crisis have complicated joint decisions.
Consensus and Dialogue
Divergent Member Positions
West Asia conflict
Consensus and Dialogue
India is urging dialogue, diplomacy, an early end to the crisis, civilian protection and free movement through waterways.
Divergent Member Positions
Differences among members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, have made agreement difficult; ministers previously issued an outcome document rather than a joint declaration.
Trade and payments
Consensus and Dialogue
India presents payments in national currencies and lower transaction costs as practical measures intended to support trade, not target any country.
Divergent Member Positions
The grouping still has differing priorities, and discussions remain at the technical level pending a finance ministers’ meeting.
BRICS expansion
Consensus and Dialogue
India supports continued engagement with invited partners and says expansion can proceed through agreed procedures and consensus.
Divergent Member Positions
India also favors a period of consolidation before further expansion because the larger grouping brings greater diversity and more complex coordination.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Dates
- 12–13 September
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- Membership
- 11 BRICS members, plus partner countries and outreach invitees
- Key disagreement
- Differing views over the West Asia crisis previously prevented a fully agreed joint declaration
- Economic focus
- Reducing transaction costs, supporting payments in national currencies and pursuing more balanced trade
- Development institution
- India will next chair the New Development Bank