New Delhi, Sep 2026 : India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, bringing together leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, as well as invited outreach nations.
India's BRICS Chairship for 2026 is guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a people-centric approach based on the principle of “Humanity First”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
During the two-day summit, leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation among BRICS countries on common priorities and exchange views on major global and regional developments of mutual interest.
India has placed strong emphasis on strengthening cooperation across the three key pillars of BRICS — political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Under India's chairship, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been organised across more than 25 cities. The initiatives have sought to advance practical and development-oriented outcomes while strengthening the strategic partnership among BRICS members.
India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026. It previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The year 2026 is particularly significant as BRICS completes two decades since its establishment.
The logo for India's BRICS Chairship reflects a combination of tradition and modernity. According to the MEA, its petals feature vibrant colours representing BRICS member countries and symbolise their collective strength and unity. At the centre, the “Namaste” gesture represents India's traditions of warmth, respect and harmonious collaboration.
BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The grouping's partner countries are Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
BRICS cooperation has expanded significantly beyond economic issues and now covers a broad range of global priorities. These include combating terrorism, addressing climate change, strengthening food and energy security, and discussing developments in the international economic and financial system.
Other areas of cooperation include telecommunications, agriculture, labour and employment, trade, the international financial architecture and issues related to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
With leaders gathering in New Delhi, the 18th BRICS Summit is expected to provide an important platform for advancing cooperation among emerging economies and addressing shared global challenges through dialogue, coordination and practical initiatives.
