The successful conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has been widely viewed as an important diplomatic achievement for India, with the country’s leadership drawing attention to its expanding role in global affairs. Hosted by India on September 12-13, 2026, the summit brought together BRICS leaders amid major geopolitical and economic challenges. The New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to stronger cooperation, multilateralism, sustainable development and a greater role for emerging and developing economies in global decision-making.
India’s BRICS chairship in 2026 focused on the theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Under the chairship, more than 400 meetings and engagements were conducted across around 30 Indian cities, involving ministers, officials, parliamentarians, experts, businesses and civil society representatives. The summit also marked two decades of BRICS cooperation and provided India with an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic and organisational capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed strong emphasis on making BRICS more people-centric while promoting cooperation among emerging economies. The New Delhi Declaration called for greater representation of developing countries in global institutions and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening multilateral systems. BRICS leaders also backed deeper cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, sustainable development, trade and financial connectivity.
The summit also highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen economic cooperation within the expanded BRICS grouping. Discussions covered cross-border payment mechanisms, the use of local currencies for trade settlements, resilient supply chains and greater participation of developing economies in global manufacturing and value chains. The declaration also welcomed progress toward the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2030.
Beyond economic issues, the summit carried wider geopolitical significance. The presence of major leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, placed New Delhi at the centre of important diplomatic discussions. India’s engagement with both countries demonstrated its continued effort to maintain strategic relationships while positioning itself as an independent and influential voice in a changing global order.
The successful summit has therefore emerged as an important moment for India’s foreign policy. With BRICS continuing to expand its influence across emerging economies, New Delhi’s 2026 chairship has strengthened India’s credentials as a major platform for dialogue between developing countries and the wider international community. The BRICS members also expressed gratitude to India for hosting the summit and formally supported China for the bloc’s 2027 chairship.
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