India’s preparations for the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 are continuing in New Delhi, with diplomatic and technical engagements forming part of the run-up to the leaders’ meeting scheduled for September 12 and 13. As the BRICS chair for 2026, India is overseeing a series of meetings involving member countries ahead of the main summit.

The official BRICS 2026 calendar includes Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa-level meetings as part of the year-long chairship programme. These preparatory engagements are aimed at advancing discussions and working towards outcomes that can be considered at the ministerial and leaders’ levels.

India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit

India assumed the BRICS chairship for 2026 and is hosting the grouping’s 18th Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the main summit will be held on September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will bring together leaders of BRICS member countries for discussions on issues of common interest.

The summit is the culmination of several months of meetings and consultations conducted under India’s chairship.

Sherpa-Level Discussions Underway

Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas play an important role in preparing the ground for high-level BRICS discussions. Their meetings allow participating countries to negotiate and coordinate positions on issues that may later feature in ministerial and leaders’ deliberations.

The September preparatory meetings are therefore part of the diplomatic process leading up to the leaders’ summit rather than the main summit itself.

India’s BRICS 2026 theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting the broad priorities identified for its chairship.

CRA Discussions Form Part of BRICS Financial Cooperation

The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is another important component of BRICS financial cooperation. It is designed as a financial safety-net mechanism for member countries facing short-term balance-of-payments or liquidity pressures.

Technical and administrative discussions connected with BRICS financial mechanisms form part of the broader preparatory work undertaken during a country’s chairship. Such meetings are separate from the political-level Leaders’ Summit but contribute to the institutional work of the grouping.

Delhi Prepares for High-Level Summit

Preparations for the September summit have also intensified across the national capital. Security, traffic management and logistical arrangements are being put in place ahead of the arrival of international leaders and delegations.

Delhi Police has increased security around hotels and important routes linked to the summit, while civic agencies have undertaken beautification and other preparatory work in areas expected to be used by visiting delegations.

The city is consequently seeing preparations well before the September 12–13 leaders’ meeting.

India’s BRICS Chairship Agenda

India has indicated that its BRICS chairship will focus on practical cooperation in areas including resilience, innovation, economic cooperation and sustainability.

The grouping’s agenda in 2026 has included discussions across political, economic, financial, scientific, technological and people-to-people areas. India has also been pushing for cooperation on issues such as resilient supply chains, startups and innovation, green energy and greater economic engagement among member countries.

The final outcomes of these discussions are expected to feed into the broader deliberations surrounding the 18th BRICS Summit.

BRICS Summit 2026: Key Dates

• BRICS Chair: India
• Summit: 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit
• Main summit dates: September 12–13, 2026
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Preparatory phase: Sherpa, Sous-Sherpa and other meetings during the lead-up
• India’s BRICS theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
• Financial mechanism: Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)