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.

India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship is set to reach its most important stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the expanded 11-member BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

The summit at Bharat Mandapam comes as the grouping seeks to define its role after expansion and as India pushes a more practical agenda focused on economic cooperation, technology, security, sustainable development and a stronger voice for the Global South. The summit is expected to bring discussions on trade, finance, energy security and reform of global institutions to the forefront. 

India’s BRICS chairship enters crucial phase

India assumed the BRICS chairship at the beginning of 2026 and has sought to use the presidency to promote practical cooperation among member countries.

The government has framed the chairship around “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a people-centric approach. The agenda has been reflected in a series of ministerial and sectoral meetings held across India during the year. 

The New Delhi summit will provide the political-level platform for bringing together the priorities developed through those engagements.

Expanded 11-member BRICS

The Delhi meeting will be the first BRICS leaders’ summit hosted by India since the grouping expanded to 11 members.

The enlarged grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, along with Saudi Arabia's position within the expanded BRICS framework being subject to differing descriptions in international reporting.

The expansion has increased BRICS' economic and geopolitical weight but has also made consensus more complicated because members have different foreign-policy priorities and relationships with major global powers.

For India, managing these differences while maintaining a workable agenda will be one of the central tests of its chairmanship.

Trade and economic cooperation on agenda

Economic cooperation is expected to remain a major pillar of the summit.

India has already secured progress during its chairship on the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 and initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, services and resilient global value chains.

At the BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur in August, members also agreed on guiding principles aimed at improving MSME access to credit and addressing trade-finance gaps. 

The summit could build on these discussions and seek stronger cooperation among member economies at a time of changing global supply chains and continuing trade tensions.

Technology and innovation gain importance

Technology is another area where India is seeking deeper BRICS cooperation.

New Delhi has emphasised collaboration in emerging technologies, digital infrastructure and innovation while also highlighting the need to address common challenges such as cybersecurity.

During a June meeting with BRICS national security advisers and senior security officials, PM Modi said the grouping had an important role in cooperation on terrorism, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. 

These priorities are expected to feed into the broader leaders’ discussions.

Global South and global governance

India is also expected to use the summit to strengthen the BRICS platform as a voice for developing and emerging economies.

New Delhi has consistently advocated greater representation for developing countries in international institutions and a more inclusive global governance structure.

The challenge for India will be to turn broad agreement on reform into practical proposals acceptable to an expanded grouping whose members do not always share the same geopolitical priorities.

Security cooperation remains significant

Security is another important component of India's BRICS agenda.

The country has sought greater cooperation against terrorism, cyber threats and other emerging security challenges. The June meeting of BRICS national security advisers was part of this broader effort to strengthen institutional cooperation among member countries. 

However, geopolitical differences within the expanded group could make consensus on sensitive security and international issues more difficult.

India builds BRICS cooperation beyond diplomacy

India's chairmanship has extended beyond traditional political and economic discussions.

The BRICS Urbanisation Forum held in New Delhi in June focused on inclusive and resilient urban development, while the Youth and Sports meetings in Visakhapatnam addressed cooperation in youth development, sports technology and manufacturing. 

The BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Bhopal also concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, creating a framework for deeper cultural cooperation among member and partner countries. 

These sectoral initiatives form part of India's attempt to make BRICS cooperation broader and more directly connected to development priorities.

Delhi summit will test India's diplomatic strategy

The September summit will ultimately test whether India can turn its chairmanship theme into concrete outcomes while holding together an increasingly diverse grouping.

The expanded BRICS has greater economic and diplomatic reach, but its members differ significantly on global conflicts, trade policy and relations with Western powers. India has therefore sought to position the grouping around practical cooperation rather than allowing it to become defined solely by geopolitical rivalry.

With PM Modi hosting leaders in New Delhi, India's central task will be to demonstrate that an expanded BRICS can still produce consensus and implementable initiatives.

The summit is consequently important not only for India's year-long chairmanship but also for determining how the enlarged BRICS positions itself in the evolving global economic and diplomatic order.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his first official visit to Ghana, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in nearly three decades. The Ghana visit is the opening leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening India's engagement with the Global South and expanding strategic partnerships across Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. (Ministry of External Affairs)

The Prime Minister's visit is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, defence, digital technology, healthcare, education and energy. During his stay in Accra, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and review the full spectrum of India-Ghana relations. (Ministry of External Affairs)

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to deepen cooperation in key sectors. The two countries are also expected to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, including economic development, maritime security and South-South cooperation. (Ministry of External Affairs)

The visit carries added significance as it is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana since 1995. Officials believe it reflects India's growing focus on strengthening ties with African nations through development partnerships, capacity building and increased economic engagement. (Ministry of External Affairs)

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address the Parliament of Ghana, highlighting the democratic values shared by both countries and outlining India's vision for stronger cooperation with Africa. The two sides are likely to discuss ways to boost business collaboration and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. (Ministry of External Affairs)

After concluding his engagements in Ghana, the Prime Minister will continue his diplomatic tour with visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. The multi-nation visit includes participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil and several bilateral meetings with world leaders. (Facebook)

Officials said the tour is intended to reinforce India's strategic partnerships across multiple regions while expanding cooperation in trade, technology, infrastructure, defence and sustainable development. The visit is also expected to strengthen India's outreach to developing nations and further its diplomatic and economic interests on the global stage. (Ministry of External Affairs)

Jaishankar Urges BRICS to Deepen Cooperation, Push Reforms

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called upon BRICS nations to find practical ways to deal with the fallout of ongoing global conflicts, economic volatility, and trade disruptions, even as India advances institutional reforms to accommodate the grouping’s expanded membership.

Opening the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here, Jaishankar emphasised that the bloc must play a constructive and stabilising role amid growing uncertainty in international relations. The meeting at Bharat Mandapam brought together foreign ministers from core members including Russia, Brazil, and Iran, along with partner countries.

Time of considerable flux

“We meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks. “Ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade, technology, and climate are shaping the global landscape.”

He noted that developing nations and emerging markets are increasingly looking to BRICS for stability and workable solutions. The minister stressed the need to reflect on global and regional developments and explore concrete steps to strengthen cooperation.

Institutional reforms under Indian chair

As the current chair, India has prioritised building a more inclusive and effective framework. Jaishankar highlighted progress in discussions on institutional development, including updating mechanisms to better integrate new members.

“It is essential for the smooth advancement of BRICS that later members fully appreciate and subscribe to BRICS’ consensus on various important issues,” he said.

Officials indicated that India’s chairmanship has already facilitated over 80 BRICS meetings involving all member states since January. This is India’s fourth stint at the helm, following previous summits in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Development challenges in focus

Ministers are expected to address pressing issues affecting many countries, particularly in energy, food, fertiliser, and health security, as well as access to finance. Jaishankar said BRICS can help members respond more effectively to these challenges.

He also underlined the importance of reliable supply chains and diversified markets for building economic resilience in the face of global disruptions.

Climate, tech and equitable growth

Climate change figured prominently in the discussions. The minister called for sustainable development efforts guided by principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

On technology, Jaishankar pointed to the rapid pace of change and the need to harness innovations for inclusive growth and better governance.

Peace, security and counterterrorism

Peace and security issues remained central to the conversations. Recent conflicts have reinforced the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, Jaishankar noted. There was also strong emphasis on strengthening cooperation against terrorism, an area of shared interest among members.

The presence of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov added weight to discussions on geopolitical challenges.

Looking ahead

The two-day meeting, scheduled for May 14 and 15, forms part of broader consultations on global economic governance, development priorities, and current geopolitical realities. Outcomes are expected to feed into further BRICS processes under India’s presidency.

Analysts see the gathering as an opportunity for the expanded bloc to demonstrate its relevance in a fragmented world order. With multiple partner countries participating, the focus remains on practical coordination rather than grand declarations.

Local diplomatic circles in New Delhi described the meeting as business-like, with delegations working through detailed agendas on multilateral reform and economic cooperation. Many observers believe successful institutional adjustments will determine how effectively BRICS can deliver on expectations of emerging economies.

As global attention remains fixed on multiple conflict zones and economic headwinds, India’s push for pragmatic cooperation reflects its longstanding approach of seeking inclusive solutions through platforms like BRICS.

India-Brazil Trade Crosses ₹1 Lakh Crore as PM Narendra Modi, Lula da Silva Hold Key Talks in New Delhi

India-Brazil trade has crossed the ₹1 lakh crore mark, marking a major milestone in economic ties between the two emerging powers. The development comes as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva began his five-day India visit on February 18, 2026, holding high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

With global alliances shifting and emerging economies strengthening cooperation, the surge in India-Brazil trade signals a deepening partnership between two leading voices of the Global South.

India-Brazil Trade Jumps 92% in Five Years

Official data shows that bilateral trade between India and Brazil rose from ₹53,705 crore in FY21 to ₹1,03,349 crore in FY25 — an impressive 92% increase.

In FY25 alone:

 India’s exports to Brazil increased 15% year-on-year to ₹57,219 crore.

 Imports from Brazil declined 10% YoY to ₹46,130 crore.

 India maintained a positive trade balance with Brazil.

Brazil now accounts for 1.05% of India’s total global trade. While the percentage may appear modest, the consistent upward trajectory reflects strategic economic alignment.

Experts say this positive trade balance strengthens India’s position in Latin America, where Brazil remains the largest economy.

What India Exports to Brazil

India’s export basket to Brazil is diversified and high-value driven. Key exports include:

 Refined petroleum products (diesel)

 Organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals

 Agro-chemicals like insecticides and fungicides

 Engineering goods, boilers and electrical machinery

 Automotive components

 Iron and steel products

Trade analysts note that India’s pharmaceutical and chemical exports have gained strong traction in Brazil due to competitive pricing and quality standards.

What India Imports from Brazil

Brazil plays a crucial role in supplying agricultural and mineral commodities to India. Major imports include:

 Crude oil

 Soy oil

 Raw cane sugar

 Gold

 Cotton

 Iron ore

 Timber

Brazil’s role as a supplier of edible oils and energy inputs remains strategically important for India’s food and energy security.

Strategic Talks Beyond Trade

President Lula is also participating in the India AI Impact Summit, where global tech leaders are discussing artificial intelligence regulations, investments and societal impact.

During bilateral discussions, both sides are expected to expand cooperation in:

 Defence manufacturing

 Renewable energy

 Artificial intelligence

 Global South representation in multilateral forums

An expert in international trade policy noted that India and Brazil are aligning not just economically but geopolitically, especially in platforms like BRICS and G20.

Why India-Brazil Trade Matters Now

The timing of this trade milestone is significant. As global supply chains diversify and nations reduce dependency on traditional Western markets, India and Brazil are positioning themselves as alternative growth engines.

For Indian businesses, Brazil offers access to Latin American markets. For Brazil, India provides scale, technology and pharmaceutical strength.

Practical takeaways for businesses:

 Exporters in chemicals and pharma should explore Brazil-focused strategies.

 Agro-importers can leverage stable sourcing channels from Brazil.

 Investors should track policy announcements emerging from Lula-Modi talks.

The crossing of ₹1 lakh crore in India-Brazil trade underscores a maturing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Brasilia. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula da Silva deepening cooperation across trade, technology and global governance, bilateral ties appear set for a new phase of expansion.

As both nations navigate a rapidly changing global order, India-Brazil trade is emerging as a pillar of South-South economic collaboration — one that could reshape global commerce dynamics in the years ahead.