PM Modi during a BRICS leaders' session.
India will assume the chairmanship of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12–13, 2026, in New Delhi. As global attention turns to the summit, much of the discussion has focused on whether leaders can reach consensus on key issues after previous ministerial meetings struggled to produce a joint communiqué. However, the more important question is different: What does India actually want to achieve through its BRICS presidency?
India’s presidency comes at a time when the global governance system is under strain, protectionism is increasing, and geopolitical uncertainty continues to grow. While the official theme emphasizes resilience, cooperation, innovation and sustainability, India’s challenge will be to ensure that the summit delivers tangible outcomes rather than another lengthy declaration with limited implementation.
What Happened
India officially unveiled the BRICS 2026 logo and website after taking over as Chair. The theme for its presidency is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with priorities spread across the bloc’s three pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The first BRICS Sherpa Meeting was held in New Delhi in February, where India outlined its priorities based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a humanity-first and people-centric approach. Russia has expressed support for India’s agenda, particularly on counter-terrorism and energy security. India has also invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a Special Guest despite Bangladesh not being a BRICS member or official observer.
With ministerial meetings underway, Sherpa-level engagement continuing, and summit preparations progressing, the broader question remains whether India’s chairmanship will ultimately be judged by diplomatic optics or by measurable outcomes that advance its national interests.
India’s Calculation
According to the analysis, India is primarily looking to secure three major outcomes from its BRICS presidency.
1. Diversifying Manufacturing and Supply Chains
India wants BRICS to strengthen cooperation in critical sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals by reducing excessive dependence on any single supplier. Rather than pursuing an anti-China strategy, the emphasis is on creating more resilient and diversified supply chains.
One proposal discussed is the creation of a BRICS Critical Mineral Supply Chain (BCRIF) combining India’s processing capabilities, Africa’s natural resources and Gulf investment capital. More importantly, India seeks a properly funded working group with clear timelines instead of symbolic declarations.
2. Local Currency Trade and Faster Payments
The debate over creating a common BRICS currency has continued since 2022 but has produced little consensus. India has consistently maintained a cautious approach toward proposals for complete de-dollarisation.
Instead, India prefers practical measures such as expanding local currency settlements, improving payment systems among BRICS members, reducing transaction costs and strengthening the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism. These steps would reduce dependence on the US dollar without triggering unnecessary geopolitical tensions.
3. Reforming Global Governance
India also hopes to use the expanded BRICS grouping to push for reforms of global institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and United Nations Security Council.
With the inclusion of new BRICS members such as Gulf countries, Egypt and Ethiopia, India believes coordinated positions within BRICS could strengthen calls for IMF quota reform and broader representation of the Global South.
Avoiding a China-Centric Narrative
The analysis argues that India should avoid allowing the summit to become a showcase of China’s economic dominance within BRICS. Since China accounts for the largest share of the bloc’s GDP, India should instead highlight institutional achievements such as new working groups, practical cooperation mechanisms and consensus on reforms rather than competing on economic scale alone.
The Verdict
India’s BRICS presidency presents both significant opportunities and considerable challenges. The analysis concludes that success should be measured by three practical achievements:
- Establishing mechanisms to diversify supply chains.
- Expanding local currency payment systems.
- Building coordinated positions on Global South reforms.
At the same time, India should avoid turning the summit into an event that primarily enhances China’s economic influence.
Ultimately, the success of India’s chairmanship will depend not on hosting world leaders, but on shaping decisions that produce lasting outcomes.
“Influence in the 21st Century is not gained by hosting summits. It emanates from the forming of what those summits decide.”
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