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18th BRICS Summit Concludes in New Delhi, Chairship Passes to China

India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12–13 September 2026 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." On the concluding day, 13 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with several world leaders, chaired a session on inclusive global growth, and formally handed over the BRICS chairship to China, which will host the 19th Summit in 2027. This is high-value material for UPSC, APPSC, TSPSC and Banking exams under international groupings and India's foreign policy.

What Happened

On 13 September 2026, the second and concluding day of the 18th BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with visiting leaders and chaired an open session titled "Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth." At the close of proceedings, India formally handed over the BRICS chairship to China.

When & Where

The summit was held on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. New Delhi has now hosted BRICS leaders' talks as the grouping enters its third decade of existence.

Who Is Involved

  • Narendra Modi — Prime Minister of India, outgoing BRICS Chair for 2026
  • Xi Jinping — President of China, incoming BRICS Chair for 2027
  • Cyril Ramaphosa — President of South Africa, held bilateral talks with PM Modi on 13 September
  • Kassym-Jomart Tokayev — President of Kazakhstan, held bilateral talks with PM Modi on 13 September
  • Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — President of the Philippines, held bilateral talks with PM Modi on 13 September
  • Vice Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, and the Chairperson of the African Union, also held talks with PM Modi on 13 September

How It Works

  1. Through the year, BRICS sherpas and ministers (finance, health, environment, trade) hold preparatory meetings across host-country cities.
  2. The Leaders' Summit at year-end adopts a joint declaration summing up the year's outcomes.
  3. On the summit's final day, leaders hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines to advance country-specific ties.
  4. The rotating chairship then passes to the next member country in the pre-agreed sequence, which hosts the following year's summit.

Why It Matters

  • Diplomatic angle: India's fourth BRICS chairship reinforces its role as a bridge between the Global South and major powers.
  • Economic angle: With member states holding 40 percent of global GDP, BRICS decisions on trade and finance carry weight for India's own economic diplomacy.
  • Governance angle: Initiatives like the Integrated Early Warning System show BRICS moving from broad declarations toward concrete cooperative mechanisms.
  • Exam angle: Directly relevant to UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations, India and its neighbourhood, groupings and agreements).

Historical Background

  • 2001: The term "BRIC" was coined by a Goldman Sachs economist to describe fast-growing emerging economies.
  • 2009: The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
  • 2011: South Africa joined the grouping, which was renamed BRICS.

Previous Related Events

  • January 2024: Five new members — Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — joined BRICS.
  • January 2025: Indonesia joined BRICS as its newest member.
  • 6–7 July 2025: The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under Brazil's chairship.

Static GK Connection

  • New Development Bank (NDB): BRICS's own multilateral financial institution, set up to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member and partner countries.
  • Global South: A term for developing and emerging economies of Asia, Africa and Latin America, whose collective voice BRICS seeks to amplify in global governance.

India & World Comparison

BRICS nations collectively account for 40 percent of global GDP and 26 percent of global trade (as stated by India's chairship documentation for 2026), giving the grouping a weight comparable to established forums like the G7 in economic terms, even though its decision-making style is consensus-based rather than binding.

Future Impact

  • China takes over as BRICS Chair and will host the 19th Summit in 2027.
  • The newly agreed Integrated Early Warning System is expected to be operationalised for disease and disaster response among member states.
  • BRICS enters its "third decade," with PM Modi urging the grouping to move from commitments to concrete, measurable results.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

  • 18th BRICS Summit held on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  • Theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
  • BRICS chairship passed from India to China on 13 September 2026.
  • China to host the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027.
  • BRICS has 11 members after Indonesia's entry in January 2025.
  • Five new members joined in January 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
  • South Africa joined BRICS in 2011.
  • First BRIC Summit: 2009, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
  • Term "BRIC" coined in 2001 by a Goldman Sachs economist.
  • BRICS represents 49.5% of world population, 40% of global GDP, 26% of global trade.
  • India chaired BRICS for the fourth time in 2026.
  • Over 350 BRICS meetings held across 25 Indian cities in 2026.
  • New Delhi Declaration adopted on 12 September 2026.
  • BRICS Integrated Early Warning System agreed on 13 September 2026 for disease prevention.
  • 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 6–7 July 2025.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: BRICS as a Multilateral Grouping

  • Definition: BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that coordinates on economic, political and developmental issues outside traditional Western-led forums.
  • Origin & History: The acronym "BRIC" was coined in 2001; the grouping held its first summit in 2009 and added South Africa in 2011 to become BRICS.
  • Link to this event: The 2026 summit marks India's fourth chairship and the grouping's expansion to 11 full members.
  • Key milestone 1: Expansion of five new members in January 2024 (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE).
  • Key milestone 2: Indonesia's accession in January 2025, taking membership to 11.
  • Related Institution — New Development Bank (NDB): Set up by BRICS founding members to finance infrastructure and sustainable development, headquartered in Shanghai.
  • Nodal Body in India: Ministry of External Affairs coordinates India's BRICS engagement.
  • India-specific relevance: BRICS gives India a platform to champion Global South concerns alongside its bilateral ties with both Western and non-Western powers.
  • Global comparison: BRICS is often compared with the G7 (advanced economies) and G20 (broader forum including both blocs) as a marker of a more multipolar world order.
  • Common exam angle: Member list, year of joining for each new member, summit host country and year, and the chairship rotation sequence.
  • Easy memory hook: "BRICS+5+1" — original 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) + 5 new members (2024) + Indonesia (2025) = 11.
  • Chairship pattern: The chairship rotates annually among member states in a pre-agreed order; India's 2026 chairship was its fourth since the grouping's founding.
  • Applicable angle skipped: No new constitutional or statutory provision is linked to this event, so that angle is not covered here.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Where was the 18th BRICS Summit held in 2026? [Easy]

A) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

B) Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

C) Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

D) Hyderabad International Convention Centre

Answer: A

Explanation: The 18th BRICS Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12–13 September 2026.

Q2. What was the theme of India's 2026 BRICS chairship? [Easy]

A) Peace, Progress and Prosperity

B) Reformed Multilateralism for a Just World

C) One Earth, One Family, One Future

D) Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability

Answer: D

Explanation: The 2026 BRICS theme, used for both the summit and the New Delhi Declaration, was "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

Q3. How many member countries does BRICS have after the 2026 summit? [Moderate]

A) 9

B) 10

C) 11

D) 12

Answer: C

Explanation: BRICS has 11 members: the original five (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), five that joined in January 2024, and Indonesia, which joined in January 2025.

Q4. Which country will host the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027? [Moderate]

A) Russia

B) China

C) Brazil

D) South Africa

Answer: B

Explanation: On 13 September 2026, the BRICS chairship passed from India to China, which will host the 19th Summit in 2027.

Q5. In which city was the first BRIC Summit held, and in which year? [Moderate]

A) Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2009

B) Sanya, China, 2011

C) Fortaleza, Brazil, 2014

D) Ufa, Russia, 2015

Answer: A

Explanation: The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, before South Africa joined in 2011 to form BRICS.

Q6. Which country joined BRICS in January 2025, distinct from the batch that joined in January 2024? [Tricky]

A) Saudi Arabia

B) Indonesia

C) Ethiopia

D) UAE

Answer: B

Explanation: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined in January 2024; Indonesia joined separately in January 2025, becoming BRICS's 11th member.

Q7. As per India's 2026 BRICS chairship documentation, what share of global GDP do BRICS nations collectively represent? [Tricky]

A) 26 percent

B) 33 percent

C) 40 percent

D) 49.5 percent

Answer: C

Explanation: BRICS nations represent 40 percent of global GDP; 26 percent refers to global trade share and 49.5 percent refers to world population share — the three figures are often confused with each other.

Q8. What concrete mechanism did BRICS leaders agree upon during the 13 September 2026 session on inclusive global growth? [Tricky]

A) A common BRICS currency

B) A BRICS customs union

C) A BRICS joint military command

D) A BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases

Answer: D

Explanation: Leaders reached consensus on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious disease prevention and response, along with Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines for disaster management — not a currency, customs union, or military command.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

The New Development Bank (NDB), a financial institution associated with BRICS, is headquartered in which city?

A) Beijing

B) Shanghai

C) New Delhi

D) Moscow

Answer: B

Explanation: The New Development Bank, set up by BRICS founding members to fund infrastructure and sustainable development, is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding BRICS:

  1. BRICS originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

  2. Indonesia joined BRICS in January 2024 along with four other countries.

  3. The 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi in 2026, marked India's fourth chairship of the grouping.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect — Indonesia joined in January 2025, separately from the five countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE) that joined in January 2024. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): The BRICS chairship rotates among member countries every year.

Reason (R): China will host the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027 after India's 2026 chairship concluded.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

Answer: A

Explanation: The BRICS chairship rotates annually among members (A), and China hosting the 2027 summit right after India's 2026 term is a direct consequence of this rotation (R correctly explains A).

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): What did India achieve as BRICS Chair in 2026, and what does the handover to China signify?

India's fourth BRICS chairship in 2026 saw it host over 350 meetings across 25 cities, culminating in the 18th Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12–13 September 2026 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The chairship allowed India to shape the year's agenda, host the New Delhi Declaration, and use bilateral sidelines to advance ties with partners such as Kazakhstan, the Philippines and South Africa. The handover to China on 13 September, ahead of the 19th Summit in 2027, is procedurally routine under BRICS's rotating-chair system, but it also means the agenda-setting role now shifts to Beijing at a time when BRICS represents 40 percent of global GDP. For India, sustained engagement beyond the chairship year — through the NDB and sectoral working groups — will be the real test of continuity.

Question 2 (250 words): Discuss the significance of BRICS expansion and India's role in the grouping in the context of a changing global order.

BRICS has transformed from a five-member grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) into an 11-member bloc following the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in January 2024, and Indonesia in January 2025. This expansion reflects a broader push, especially by China and Russia, to position BRICS as a counterweight to Western-led institutions and to amplify the voice of the Global South in global governance. For India, membership requires balancing two roles simultaneously: strengthening South-South cooperation through BRICS while maintaining strong bilateral and multilateral ties with Western partners through platforms like the Quad and G20. Hosting the 18th Summit in 2026, and holding its fourth chairship, allowed India to steer the agenda toward concrete cooperative mechanisms — such as the Integrated Early Warning System for disease and disaster response agreed on 13 September 2026 — rather than purely declaratory outcomes. Economically, BRICS's combined weight of 40 percent of global GDP and 26 percent of global trade gives it real leverage in discussions on trade, finance and reform of multilateral institutions. However, internal diversity — differing ties with the West, competing regional interests, and China's dominant economic weight within the grouping — remains a structural challenge to unified BRICS positions. Going forward, India's approach of using BRICS pragmatically, without let it override its other strategic partnerships, will likely continue to define its engagement with the grouping as chairship passes to China for 2027.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

  • Trap 1: Students confuse the population, GDP and trade shares of BRICS. The correct figures are 49.5% of world population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade.

  • Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that all six new members joined BRICS at the same time. The reality is that Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined in January 2024, while Indonesia joined separately in January 2025.

  • Trap 3: Many students miss that the New Delhi Declaration was adopted on 12 September 2026, one day before the chairship handover and closing bilaterals on 13 September 2026. Always remember these are two distinct days of the same summit.

🧭 Exam Tip

Prelims examiners are likely to test the BRICS member list, year of expansion, host country/year sequence and the population/GDP/trade percentage figures — memorise these as a set to avoid mixing them up. Mains examiners will expect an analytical take on BRICS's relevance to a multipolar world order and India's balancing act between BRICS and Western partnerships. This topic can also surface in UPSC Interview rounds as a question on India's foreign policy priorities. Given the chairship has just passed to China, expect the 2027 BRICS Summit and China's agenda-setting priorities to be a high-probability topic in the next exam cycle.