New Delhi: India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, marking the country’s fourth Chairship of the grouping since its inception. India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on development, sustainability, innovation and the priorities of the Global South.
BRICS has evolved from a four-country economic dialogue into a broader platform for political, economic, financial and social cooperation. The grouping currently comprises 11 countries—Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. Together, these countries account for 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
The grouping has expanded considerably in recent years. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE became full members in January 2024, while Indonesia joined as the eleventh full member in January 2025. A Partner Country framework was also established, with ten countries joining the framework during 2025.
India’s 2026 Chairship Focuses on Practical Cooperation
During its 2026 Chairship, India has convened more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across 25 cities, covering the three core pillars of BRICS cooperation—political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Several initiatives emerging from the ministerial meetings have a direct relevance to urban development, infrastructure and sustainability. These include the proposed BRICS Urban Mobility Hub, a platform for knowledge-sharing and technical cooperation on sustainable urban mobility; BRICS Voluntary Principles for Climate Resilient Urban Infrastructure; and a BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network for applied urban research and cross-border institutional collaboration.
The 2026 agenda has also included cooperation on smart grids and energy storage, sustainable logistics, global value chains, digital agriculture, startups, scientific research, skills development and climate resilience.
The PIB backgrounder notes that India’s objective extends beyond increasing BRICS’ size and representation. Its Chairship seeks to translate the grouping’s expanded reach into meaningful cooperation, stronger institutional mechanisms and tangible outcomes, while building consensus among its diverse members.
The upcoming New Delhi Summit will therefore provide an important platform for BRICS leaders to assess the progress made during India’s Chairship and shape the grouping’s future priorities amid economic fragmentation, technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and climate-related challenges.
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