The BRICS Think Tank Network for Finance (BTTNF) will hold its second major meeting on August 25, 2026, as part of activities being organised under India’s BRICS Chairship. The meeting will bring together experts and researchers to deliberate on financial and economic issues relevant to BRICS countries.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi at the India Habitat Centre, according to the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), which has listed the event for August 25. (RIS)

Focus on Financial Cooperation

The BTTNF provides a platform for financial research institutions, experts and policymakers from BRICS countries to exchange views on major issues affecting the global financial system. Its areas of work include regulatory frameworks, capital markets, digital finance, risk management and sustainable investment strategies. (BRICS Think Tanks Council)

The network is intended to support evidence-based policy discussions and collaborative research, with the broader objective of strengthening financial cooperation among BRICS economies.

India’s BRICS 2026 Priorities

The meeting comes as India advances its agenda as chair of BRICS 2026, with the official BRICS programme focusing on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (BRICS 2026)

Financial cooperation has emerged as an important area within the BRICS framework. Previous BRICS discussions have highlighted the need to improve cross-border payments, expand local-currency financing, mobilise private capital and strengthen financial mechanisms for sustainable development.

The 2025 BRICS Rio de Janeiro Declaration also recognised the contribution of the Think Tank Network for Finance in promoting collaboration among academia, policymakers and researchers. (Press Information Bureau)

Debate on Global Finance

The August 25 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to examine challenges facing emerging and developing economies, including access to capital, investment mobilisation and financial stability.

The discussions assume significance at a time when BRICS members are exploring ways to deepen financial integration and improve mechanisms for trade and investment. BRICS countries have also been discussing cross-border payment systems and greater interoperability among national payment infrastructures.

For India, strengthening such cooperation is closely linked to its broader objective of giving developing economies a greater role in international economic and financial decision-making.

Private Capital and Investment

Mobilising private capital is another major issue within the BRICS financial agenda. Finance Ministers from BRICS countries have recently discussed the importance of creating stable and predictable frameworks capable of attracting sustained private investment.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had stressed earlier this month that BRICS economies need stronger frameworks to mobilise private capital at scale, while highlighting the role of multilateral development banks in reducing investment risks and improving project viability. (India Gazette)

The Think Tank Network can contribute to this process by bringing research institutions and financial experts into discussions on policy options and long-term economic strategies.

Building Research-Based Cooperation

The August 25 meeting is expected to strengthen the research and policy dimension of India’s BRICS Chairship. Rather than being limited to government-level discussions, the think tank mechanism provides space for experts to examine financial challenges and develop recommendations that can inform future cooperation.

As India prepares to host the BRICS Summit later this year, meetings such as the BTTNF conference are likely to form part of the wider programme of consultations leading up to the leaders’ summit.

The meeting will therefore be closely watched for discussions on financial cooperation, investment, digital finance and the evolving role of BRICS in the global economic system.