Archive · 27 Aug 2026
India’s BRICS Summit Tests Leadership in a Divided World
BRICS is a group of countries that work together on important world issues.
India will host its main meeting in Delhi in September 2026.
The meeting is especially important because it marks 20 years since BRICS began.
The group now has 11 full members and 10 partner countries.
These countries represent a large share of the world’s people and economy.
Before the summit, officials have discussed climate change, education, culture, trade and manufacturing.
India wants the group to focus on useful cooperation rather than only disagreements.
However, wars and economic conflicts could make it harder for the countries to agree.
The meeting could influence how developing countries work together internationally.
India will host the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi from September 12 to 13, 2026.
The expanded BRICS includes 11 full members and 10 partner countries, representing 49.5% of the world’s population.
More than 350 preparatory events have focused on cooperation in areas including climate, culture, education, trade and industry.
India’s chairmanship prioritizes resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, with an emphasis on practical results.
Geopolitical tensions, including escalating economic conflict between the United States and Iran, could complicate the summit.
- Who
- Leaders and officials from BRICS’s 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, with India as chair.
- What
- The 18th BRICS summit and discussions on global governance, geopolitics and practical cooperation.
- When
- September 12–13, 2026; the summit marks BRICS’s 20th anniversary.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- India aims to deepen cooperation among members and partners and strengthen BRICS’s role as a forum for emerging markets and developing countries.
Practical Cooperation Advocates
Geopolitical Concern
Main summit priority
Practical Cooperation Advocates
The article argues that India will prioritize practical cooperation in climate action, culture, education, trade, industry and other areas.
Geopolitical Concern
The summit will also face major debates over war, peace, geopolitics and economic governance, which could overshadow practical initiatives.
BRICS cohesion
Practical Cooperation Advocates
Deepening cooperation could improve internal coherence despite the members’ diversity and disagreements.
Geopolitical Concern
The article notes noticeable divergence within the expanded grouping and warns that geopolitical tensions may make consensus more difficult.
Global role
Practical Cooperation Advocates
A more effective BRICS could strengthen the interests of emerging markets and developing countries and act as a counterweight to the G7.
Geopolitical Concern
Its influence will depend on whether the group can manage major disputes, including the escalating economic conflict between the United States and Iran.
- Host
- India
- Summit
- 18th BRICS summit
- Dates
- September 12–13, 2026
- Membership
- 11 full members and 10 partner countries
- Global reach
- 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of international trade
- Preparatory activity
- More than 350 events are scheduled or held before the summit
- 2026 theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability