New Delhi is stepping up diplomatic engagement with BRICS members as India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. India, which holds the BRICS chairmanship for 2026, is working to build greater coordination among the expanded grouping ahead of the leaders meeting.
Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation, trade, financial connectivity, technology, energy security and sustainable development. India has placed resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability at the centre of its BRICS presidency, while also promoting a people focused approach to global cooperation.
India has already held several ministerial and senior level meetings during its chairmanship. Recent discussions have included trade and economic cooperation, while BRICS countries are also examining ways to make cross border payments more efficient through greater connectivity between payment systems and central bank digital currencies.
China is likely to receive particular attention ahead of the summit. President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India for the meeting, although his participation has not yet been formally confirmed. His possible visit comes as New Delhi and Beijing continue diplomatic efforts to stabilise bilateral relations and address outstanding border issues.
With BRICS now comprising a much larger group of emerging economies, India faces the challenge of maintaining consensus among members with different strategic interests. New Delhi is expected to use its chairmanship to keep the grouping focused on practical cooperation while strengthening the voice of developing countries in global institutions.
The upcoming summit is therefore likely to be an important diplomatic moment for India. Beyond the meetings between leaders, the event will test New Delhi’s ability to bring together diverse BRICS members around common economic and development priorities while advancing India’s broader vision of a more representative and balanced global order.
Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation, trade, financial connectivity, technology, energy security and sustainable development. India has placed resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability at the centre of its BRICS presidency, while also promoting a people focused approach to global cooperation.
India has already held several ministerial and senior level meetings during its chairmanship. Recent discussions have included trade and economic cooperation, while BRICS countries are also examining ways to make cross border payments more efficient through greater connectivity between payment systems and central bank digital currencies.
China is likely to receive particular attention ahead of the summit. President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India for the meeting, although his participation has not yet been formally confirmed. His possible visit comes as New Delhi and Beijing continue diplomatic efforts to stabilise bilateral relations and address outstanding border issues.
With BRICS now comprising a much larger group of emerging economies, India faces the challenge of maintaining consensus among members with different strategic interests. New Delhi is expected to use its chairmanship to keep the grouping focused on practical cooperation while strengthening the voice of developing countries in global institutions.
The upcoming summit is therefore likely to be an important diplomatic moment for India. Beyond the meetings between leaders, the event will test New Delhi’s ability to bring together diverse BRICS members around common economic and development priorities while advancing India’s broader vision of a more representative and balanced global order.