The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is expected to put India's priorities for a more representative, technology-driven and development-focused global order at the centre of discussions as leaders of the expanded grouping meet on September 12 and 13.

India, which holds the BRICS presidency in 2026, is seeking to use the summit to advance cooperation on trade, technology, sustainable development and the interests of the Global South. However, the final outcomes will depend on negotiations among an increasingly diverse membership, with differences emerging over geopolitical issues and the direction of the bloc.

A common Delhi Declaration

One of the most important expected outcomes is a joint leaders' declaration reflecting consensus among BRICS members.

Preparatory negotiations have already focused on resolving differences over sensitive geopolitical issues, including references to conflicts in West Asia. BRICS Sherpas have been working to reconcile differing positions, including between Iran and the UAE, before the summit. 

A consensus declaration would demonstrate that the expanded BRICS can maintain a common platform despite differences among its members.

Greater focus on Global South

India is expected to push the bloc towards a stronger focus on the concerns of developing and emerging economies.

Issues such as development finance, food and energy security, climate action, resilient supply chains and greater representation in global institutions are likely to feature prominently.

India's approach has been to position BRICS as a platform for practical cooperation rather than simply as a counterweight to Western institutions. Analysts have highlighted the need for the grouping to pursue economic and developmental objectives while managing its internal differences.

Technology and artificial intelligence

Technology cooperation is expected to emerge as another major area of the summit.

India has been advocating greater collaboration among BRICS countries in artificial intelligence, advanced computing, quantum technologies and semiconductor-related research. The objective is to build stronger technological capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities in critical technology supply chains. 

Digital public infrastructure, startups, scientific research and innovation are also gaining importance within India's BRICS agenda.

The technology push could result in proposals for deeper research partnerships, innovation networks and greater cooperation between governments, businesses and research institutions.

Trade and economic cooperation

Economic cooperation is likely to remain at the heart of India's BRICS presidency.

Earlier ministerial meetings under India's chairship have already produced initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, supporting MSMEs and improving access to finance. BRICS trade ministers also advanced work on the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 and discussed more resilient and diversified global value chains. 

India could seek further progress on reducing trade barriers, increasing trade in services and strengthening supply-chain resilience among member economies.

Financial crime cooperation

Another potentially significant Indian initiative is greater cooperation against economic offenders.

India is reportedly preparing to propose a framework for faster tracking of economic fugitives across BRICS countries by improving the exchange of financial and investigative information. Such cooperation could strengthen efforts to prevent offenders from using international borders to evade investigation or prosecution. 

If adopted, the initiative could become a practical law-enforcement outcome of the summit.

Reform of global institutions

India is also expected to continue advocating reforms in institutions such as the United Nations and international financial architecture.

New Delhi has consistently argued that emerging economies and developing countries should have a greater voice in global decision-making. BRICS provides India with a platform to push this argument collectively while maintaining its broader policy of strategic autonomy.

The challenge will be converting broad political support into specific institutional proposals acceptable to the expanded grouping.

Managing differences within BRICS

The summit will also test whether the enlarged BRICS can remain cohesive.

The grouping now brings together countries with different economic models, foreign-policy priorities and relationships with the United States and other major powers. Analysts have identified the expansion of the bloc and the need to preserve institutional coherence as major challenges for India's presidency. 

Differences over geopolitical conflicts could therefore prove as important as areas of agreement.

What India will seek to demonstrate

For India, the summit represents an opportunity to demonstrate that BRICS can function as a practical platform for cooperation among emerging economies rather than becoming defined primarily by geopolitical confrontation.

The expected focus on technology, trade, development, innovation and Global South representation fits India's stated presidency theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” 

The ultimate measure of the summit, however, will be whether declarations translate into implementable initiatives. A consensus declaration, stronger economic cooperation, technology partnerships and concrete mechanisms for development and financial cooperation would give India's BRICS presidency tangible outcomes.

With the summit only days away, negotiations over the final declaration remain crucial. The New Delhi meeting is therefore likely to be as much a test of BRICS' ability to manage internal differences as it is an opportunity for India to shape the bloc's future direction.