India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12-13 September 2026, bringing together heads of state and government from BRICS member nations, partner countries, and outreach invitees. The summit marks a landmark moment as BRICS completes twenty years since its establishment, with India holding the grouping's chair for the fourth time.

India's Chairship Theme and Vision

India's 2026 BRICS Chairship is anchored by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The theme reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's people-centric vision rooted in the philosophy of 'Humanity First'. The official BRICS logo for India's Chairship blends tradition with modernity — radiating the colours of member nations through lotus-inspired petals, with the 'Namaste' gesture at its centre symbolising warmth and collaborative spirit.

Scale of Engagement Under India's Chairship

Since assuming the Chairship on 1 January 2026, India has facilitated more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across 25 cities nationwide. These have spanned all three fundamental pillars of BRICS cooperation: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives have also been a defining feature of India's stewardship this year.

What Leaders Will Discuss

At the summit, leaders are expected to deliberate on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on shared priorities and exchange perspectives on pressing global and regional issues. Key agenda areas include the fight against terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, the international financial architecture, trade, and reforms at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Telecommunications, agriculture, and labour and employment are also on the table.

BRICS Membership and Partner Nations

The grouping now comprises 11 full members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. An additional 10 partner countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam — are also part of the expanded BRICS framework. Notably, this is India's fourth time chairing the grouping, having previously done so in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Why This Summit Matters

The 2026 summit comes at a time of heightened global uncertainty, with BRICS nations collectively navigating geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and climate pressures. India's hosting of the event at Bharat Mandapam — the same venue that anchored the G20 Summit in 2023 — underscores New Delhi's growing role as a convener of multilateral dialogue. The summit's outcomes are expected to shape the bloc's agenda for the next phase of its expansion-era cooperation.