India assumes BRICS chairmanship, sets stage for September New Delhi summit
Primary region BRICS
Tags Diplomacy · Policy
Regions BRICS · Asia
India assumed the BRICS rotating chairmanship on January 1, 2026, succeeding Brazil. The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12-13, 2026, in New Delhi under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.' PM Modi unveiled the official logo, website, and theme on January 13. India's priorities include reformed multilateralism, Global South representation, digital governance, and climate finance. The RBI has proposed linking BRICS central bank digital currencies for cross-border trade, and the BRICS Pay decentralized payment system is planned for 2026 launch. The first BRICS Sherpa meeting under India's chairship was held February 9 in New Delhi. BRICS now has 10 confirmed full members plus 10 partner countries.
Strategic interpretation
India's BRICS presidency positions it as a bridge between the Global South and major powers, allowing New Delhi to shape the bloc's agenda while managing its relationships with both the US and China. The focus on CBDC linkage and BRICS Pay reflects a pragmatic approach to de-dollarization that avoids directly confronting the dollar. India's leadership may also serve to limit Chinese dominance within the bloc, as New Delhi balances its participation with its strategic autonomy.