Preparations underway in New Delhi for BRICS Summit 2026

The BRICS Summit 2026, scheduled for January 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marks a pivotal moment in India's diplomatic calendar as the nation assumes the chairmanship of this influential grouping. To understand the gravity of this event, we must first trace the evolution of BRICS from its inception as 'BRIC' — a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001 to describe the four major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The first formal summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, and South Africa joined in 2010, transforming it into BRICS. The 2023 Johannesburg Summit witnessed a historic expansion, admitting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia as full members from January 1, 2024, bringing the total to ten nations representing nearly 45% of the world's population and over 35% of global GDP (PPP basis). As the host and current chair, India's role extends far beyond logistical arrangements. The summit's theme — expected to focus on 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Governance' — aligns with India's long-standing advocacy for reform of global institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank. Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, explicitly directs the State to 'promote international peace and security,' 'maintain just and honourable relations between nations,' and 'encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.' Hosting BRICS 2026 operationalizes this constitutional mandate by providing a platform for Global South cooperation outside Western-dominated frameworks. Key stakeholders include not just the ten member states but also invited partner countries and international organizations. For India, the summit offers strategic leverage: deepening energy ties with Russia and Gulf nations, balancing China's influence within the bloc, advancing the New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as alternatives to Bretton Woods institutions, and promoting the use of local currencies in trade — a priority highlighted during India's 2021 BRICS chairmanship. The Bharat Mandapam venue itself, inaugurated for the G20 Summit 2023, symbolizes India's growing capacity to host mega-diplomatic events. Security preparations, including the motorcade rehearsals by Delhi Police and resultant traffic diversions, underscore the operational complexity. The Special Protection Group (SPG), National Security Guard (NSG), and multi-agency coordination reflect protocols established after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, governed by the National Security Act, 1980, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. These measures also test Delhi's urban infrastructure and disaster management readiness under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Economically, the summit could accelerate initiatives like the BRICS Pay digital payment system, a potential rival to SWIFT, and expand the NDB's lending in local currencies — critical for India's rupee internationalization push. Politically, it reinforces India's leadership of the Global South, a narrative central to its 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (One Earth, One Family, One Future) philosophy articulated during its G20 presidency. Socially, cultural exchanges and youth forums alongside the summit foster people-to-people ties among BRICS nations. Looking ahead, the 2026 summit will set the agenda for Brazil's chairmanship in 2025 and shape BRICS' institutional trajectory — whether it evolves into a formal treaty-based organization or remains a loose coalition. For India, success here strengthens its claim for permanent UNSC membership and enhances strategic autonomy in a multipolar world. Aspirants must view this not as an isolated event but as a continuum of India's foreign policy evolution from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment, rooted in constitutional ideals and pragmatic realism.