Amidst global instability and conflicts, the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 is taking place at Bharat Mandapam in India’s capital.
This conference is being organized on September 12 and 13 with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainability”.
In the absence of a shared agenda, all 11 member nations – including China, Russia, and Iran – are focused on pursuing their respective diplomatic and national interests, whereas India will emphasize development, cooperation, and a multipolar world
Iran and UAE will come face-to-face for the first time since the West Asia conflict; UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also arriving.
The world has its eyes on the BRICS summit because:-
These nations collectively account for 49% of the global poppulation.
Member countries account for a 40% share of global GDP.
Part 26% of the Poisonous Trade.
30% of the world’s total production.
In 2024, the mutual trade among BRICS nations stands at $1.17 trillion.
This is the reason why BRICS’ diplomatic clout has grown.
Every country has its own story:-
Every country seeks to use this platform to further its own interest. This time is no different.
China wants to assert its presence to fill the void left by the declining influence of the United States, India wants to focus on development and practical cooperation, Russia seeks to demonstrate its global presence despite sanctions, whereas Iran aims to send a diplomatic message by sharing a platform with major powers.
Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, South Africa, and the UAE are also coming forward with issues such as energy, trade, Africa – Asia connectivity, and transactions in local currencies.
INDIA:- India’s agenda reflects the pragmatism of its traditional diplomacy .While India is a member of the Quad alongside the United States, it is simultaneously a member of the SCO and BRICS. India advocates for a multipolar world and seeks to position BRICS not as an anti-west alliance, but as a platform for development cooperation. India will focus on MSME startups, digital public infrastructure , payment systems like UPI , artificial intelligence, and clean energy.it is also making effort to build a consensus on West Asia between countries such as Iran and the UAE.
CHINA:- While trust in America is wavering in many countries, major nations like Russia and India, along with countries such as Ethiopia and Indonesia, are sharing a common vision within an organization formed under its leadership; it will advocate for amplifying the voice of developing nations in the IMF and United Nations. At the same time, it seeks to expand its economic reach by positioning BRICS as platform for the Global South.
RUSSIA:- Russia will attempt to use this platform to demonstrate that Western sanctions have failed to isolate it.
Most of its payments with BRICS nations are now being settled in national currencies . Russia will discuss food security and grain trade ,energy cooperation, defense, and transport corridors.
IRAN:- Iran wants to demonstrate that, despite the war, it has neither been crippled nor lacks allies on the global stage. It views this summit as a source of diplomatic relief amidst American pressure and regional tensions.
BRAZIL:- Brazil will emphasize climate finance , Amazon conservation, agricultural exports, and concessional finance for developing countries.
EGYPT:- President Abdel Fattah el – Sisi will focus on trade routes, energy cooperation, and food security; peace and investment in West Asia will also be on his agenda.
ETHIOPIA:-Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seeks development finance , infrastructure, agriculture, and investment for Africa.
INDONESIA:- President Prabowo Subianto will emphasize trade, maritime connectivity, food security, and the digital economy. Jakarta aims to position BRICS as a bridge between ASEAN and the global South, while also projecting strength in the Pacific region.
UAE:- It would want Iran to avoid taking a unilateral stance on the West Asia crisis within BRICS-a signal we have already received during the meeting of foreign ministers and NSA.