BRICS 2026: Why the World Is Watching Modi’s Delhi Summit

By NIRENDRA DEV

As Narendra Modi enters the “BRICS time-space” of 2026, the Delhi summit comes at a critical moment for the emerging multilateral order

New Delhi, September 10, 2026 — As Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters what may be called the “BRICS time-space — 2026”, expectations will inevitably rise that India’s presidency of the grouping can deliver tangible outcomes.

The relevance of BRICS to the global economy and to the performance metrics of multilateral institutions has changed considerably over the years. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit at a particularly challenging moment, when the global order is undergoing one of its most consequential transformations since the end of the Cold War.

The immediate question is whether India and Russia can explore further avenues for mediation so that the Russia-Ukraine conflict can move towards an end.

Modi’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin — to “move from an endless war to the end of war” — should find resonance at the New Delhi summit.

But BRICS is no longer simply about geopolitics. Its future relevance will increasingly depend on whether it can expand the policy space available to developing countries and widen the range of development choices available to its members and partners.

India and China hold the key

India and China both have a stake in ensuring that global governance structures evolve to reflect the aspirations and interests of the developing world.

Yet working in a crisis environment is fundamentally different from operating under normal conditions. A crisis can alter positions, create instability and force institutions to respond to rapidly changing circumstances.

That is precisely why India’s home-field advantage at the 2026 summit assumes importance.

New Delhi will have to promote practical cooperation in key areas while maintaining a development-first approach. The continued evolution of BRICS needs to be understood against the backdrop of a rapidly changing international environment.

Can BRICS move beyond the currency debate?

BRICS brings together some of the world’s major energy producers and consumers.

China, India, Iran, Russia and the UAE are already conducting some energy transactions in local currencies, although most such transactions remain bilateral.

India has also used currencies including the Chinese yuan and the UAE dirham in settling some Russian oil transactions.

However, the creation of a single BRICS currency remains unlikely to materialise in the foreseeable future.

A more realistic priority would be to deepen trade and financial cooperation among members.

A key prerequisite for transforming BRICS into a more cohesive trading bloc would be the development of a greater common understanding of trade-related issues between India and China.

In a volatile global environment, expectations are therefore high that India will leverage its position as host to push BRICS towards practical cooperation rather than symbolic declarations.

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Technology could become a new BRICS pillar

Technology governance offers another potentially important area of cooperation.

New Delhi hosted the AI Impact Summit in February, while China held the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in July. The emergence of new international mechanisms for AI cooperation could provide an additional foundation for discussions on technology governance at the BRICS summit.

If India can harness its own development momentum and channel it into BRICS cooperation, the grouping could provide an important platform for strengthening India’s technology ecosystem.

India’s economic momentum, GDP performance and rapid expansion in digital industries and biomedicine give New Delhi significant advantages when discussions turn towards technology governance.

But the responsibility for BRICS leadership cannot rest with India alone. Russia and China will also have to assume enhanced roles.

BRICS needs emotional intelligence

There is a shared interest among BRICS members — and this common ground is increasingly visible in a platform that seeks to amplify the voice of emerging economies.

An effective anchor for a forum such as BRICS during turbulent times requires emotional intelligence and behavioural sensitivity.

Understanding human reactions — fear, anger and grief — is vital to managing a global environment marked by uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation.

The challenges before BRICS extend well beyond traditional diplomatic disputes. Supply-chain disruptions, climate risks, technological competition and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping the international system.

BRICS members, including India, have already begun exploring cooperation in several of these areas.

The question now is whether that cooperation can be translated into institutions, mechanisms and outcomes that have practical value.

From symbolism to outcomes

The 2026 New Delhi summit therefore arrives at a moment when the world is looking for more than another diplomatic declaration.

India has an opportunity to use its presidency to push practical cooperation on sustainable development, financial architecture, energy, trade and technology.

The grouping’s success should ultimately be measured not by the number of declarations issued, but by whether it expands the choices available to developing economies.

As Narendra Modi enters the “BRICS time-space — 2026”, the world will be watching New Delhi closely.

The expectation is simple: Can India convert its home advantage into meaningful outcomes?

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