Why in the News?
- India has officially launched the logo and website for BRICS 2026, marking the start of its Presidency year and signalling its agenda-setting role for the grouping.
- Host: India will chair BRICS meetings and host the BRICS Summit 2026, guiding priorities on development, cooperation, and global governance.
Theme of BRICS 2026
“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability”
Theme focus:
- Resilience against global economic shocks
- Innovation and technology for inclusive growth
- Cooperation among Global South economies
- Sustainability via green development and climate action
- People-centric, inclusive progress
BRICS Member Countries (2026)
BRICS now comprises 11 members:
- Founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
- New members: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia
Significance of expansion:
- Strengthens South–South cooperation
- Enhances voice of developing countries
- Reflects push towards a multipolar world order
India’s Role in BRICS 2026
As host and chair, India will:
- Set the agenda and priorities for BRICS 2026
- Promote inclusive economic growth and sustainability
- Strengthen trade, investment, and technological cooperation
- Represent Global South concerns in global decision-making
- Push for practical, outcome-oriented cooperation
Challenges & Criticisms of BRICS
- No permanent secretariat → weak institutional follow-through
- Diverse political and economic interests among members
- China’s economic dominance creates internal imbalance
- Limited scale of New Development Bank (NDB) vs IMF/World Bank
- Low intra-BRICS trade despite global trade share
- External pressure over issues like de-dollarisation
- Criticism of BRICS as a “talk shop” with limited outcomes
Way Forward
- Establish a permanent secretariat
- Deepen trade, investment, and supply-chain cooperation
- Focus on clean energy, climate action, and sustainability
- Promote digital innovation, AI, health cooperation
- Strengthen coordination with other international institutions
- Emphasise implementable, development-centric solutions
