BRICS Summit 2026: 7 Key Priorities India Wants to Push for the Global South
The BRICS grouping is entering an important phase in 2026 as India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13. With the group having expanded beyond its original members, the meeting comes at a time when countries across the Global South are dealing with trade disruptions, uncertain supply chains, technological competition, energy-security concerns and rapid advances in artificial intelligence.
India’s BRICS chairship is built around the theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The broader objective is to turn BRICS from a forum for political dialogue into a platform capable of producing practical cooperation on economic and technological challenges.
For India, the 2026 summit is therefore more than a diplomatic gathering. It is an opportunity to put several priorities on the international agenda—from resilient supply chains and AI governance to stronger representation for developing economies.
Why the 2026 BRICS Summit Matters
BRICS has changed considerably since its early years. Its membership has expanded, bringing more emerging economies into the group and giving it a wider geographic and economic footprint.
That expansion also creates a challenge: members have different economic structures, political priorities and strategic interests. India therefore has an opportunity to concentrate on areas where countries can find common ground.
The discussions around the 2026 summit have increasingly focused on economic resilience, technology, trade, energy, innovation and the interests of developing countries.
India's approach is particularly relevant because global supply chains have become vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, protectionist measures and sudden disruptions. At the same time, emerging technologies such as AI are changing industries, employment and the way governments deliver services.
1. Building More Resilient Global Supply Chains
One of India's major priorities is making international supply chains more reliable and diversified.
Modern economies depend on complex networks that stretch across several countries. A disruption in one region can affect manufacturing, prices and availability of essential products elsewhere.
For developing economies, this vulnerability can be particularly significant.
Why diversification matters
India wants BRICS cooperation to encourage broader participation of developing countries in manufacturing and higher-value production. Greater diversification could reduce excessive dependence on a limited number of suppliers.
This is especially important for sectors involving critical minerals, technology, pharmaceuticals, food and energy.
The goal is not simply to create alternative suppliers. It is also about developing complementary production capabilities among BRICS economies so that members can become more resilient during future disruptions.
India's 2026 BRICS trade agenda has already emphasized resilient and diversified global value chains, indicating that supply-chain cooperation is likely to remain a central economic theme.
2. Putting the Global South at the Centre
Another major objective is to strengthen the voice of emerging and developing economies in international decision-making.
For years, developing countries have argued that global institutions do not fully reflect today's economic and geopolitical realities.
India has consistently supported reforms that would give developing countries greater representation in global governance.
A push for more balanced global institutions
The BRICS foreign ministers' discussions in 2026 reiterated support for reforms to international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, with the objective of giving developing countries a stronger voice.
This matters because BRICS is increasingly presenting itself as a platform through which countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America can coordinate their positions.
India's challenge will be converting that shared aspiration into practical diplomatic outcomes.
3. Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the most important areas of BRICS cooperation.
AI offers enormous opportunities for developing economies, including applications in healthcare, agriculture, education, public administration and financial services. But it also raises concerns about misinformation, bias, employment disruption, privacy and the authenticity of digital content.
India has promoted an approach that seeks to combine technological innovation with responsible AI governance.
Why AI matters for developing countries
The AI race should not become limited to countries with the largest technology companies and computing infrastructure.
For the Global South, affordable access to AI resources could help governments and businesses overcome longstanding development constraints.
BRICS discussions have therefore highlighted cooperation around accessible, safe, secure, inclusive and reliable AI. The group has also recognized the need to encourage AI innovation while addressing risks associated with the technology.
For India, this creates an opportunity to advocate for an AI framework that gives developing countries a greater role in shaping international rules.
4. Supporting Small Businesses and MSMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises are another important part of India's BRICS agenda.
MSMEs account for a large share of employment and entrepreneurial activity across developing economies. Yet smaller companies often struggle to obtain affordable trade finance and access international markets.
India has been pushing for greater cooperation in this area.
The BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur advanced proposals relating to export-oriented MSME financing and mechanisms intended to narrow the trade-finance gap.
Why this could make a difference
If smaller companies can obtain financing based more on their business cash flows and less on traditional collateral requirements, more firms could participate in international trade.
That could have a multiplier effect: more exports, more jobs, greater technology adoption and stronger integration between BRICS economies.
5. Strengthening Digital Cooperation
Digital infrastructure is becoming as important to economic development as traditional physical infrastructure.
India has developed significant experience with digital public infrastructure, and BRICS cooperation could provide a platform for countries to exchange knowledge and develop compatible systems.
The 2026 BRICS discussions have included digital connectivity, ICT cooperation, cybersecurity, digital services and emerging technologies.
There has also been progress toward examining high-speed connectivity between BRICS countries through submarine cable infrastructure.
For developing economies, better digital connectivity could lower barriers for businesses, improve access to services and support cross-border digital commerce.
6. Energy Security and Sustainable Development
Energy security is another issue that connects the economic interests of BRICS members.
Countries need reliable and affordable energy to support industrial growth, while simultaneously dealing with pressure to reduce emissions and build more sustainable systems.
The BRICS approach recognizes that members have different levels of development and different energy requirements.
Balancing development and sustainability
For emerging economies, a rapid transition cannot simply ignore affordability or energy access.
BRICS discussions have therefore emphasized diversified energy sources, resilient energy supply chains and cooperation on equitable energy transitions.
This could become an important area for cooperation in technology, investment and infrastructure.
7. Expanding Trade and Economic Cooperation
India also wants BRICS to strengthen practical economic ties among its members.
The objective is not only to increase the volume of trade but also to make trade more diversified, predictable and accessible to smaller businesses.
India has been working on areas including trade in services, global value chains, digital services and the broader BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 framework.
Greater economic integration could give companies access to larger markets while reducing dependence on a small number of trading partners.
However, achieving this will require countries to address differences in regulations, tariffs, standards, payment systems and investment policies.
What Could the BRICS Summit Mean for India?
Hosting the summit gives India considerable diplomatic visibility.
More importantly, it allows New Delhi to connect several of its domestic priorities with an international agenda.
India wants stronger manufacturing capabilities, diversified supply chains, technology development, digital growth and greater participation in global trade. Many of these goals overlap with the interests of other emerging economies.
The summit could therefore help India position itself as a bridge between developed and developing economies.
It also gives New Delhi an opportunity to demonstrate that BRICS cooperation can produce practical outcomes rather than remaining primarily a political platform.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its potential, BRICS faces several obstacles.
The expanded membership means more voices must be accommodated. Countries may have different approaches to trade, geopolitics, energy policy and technology regulation.
There is also a difference between announcing cooperation and implementing it.
Supply-chain initiatives require investment. Digital cooperation requires technical compatibility and trust. AI governance requires agreement on standards. Trade reforms require countries to make difficult domestic adjustments.
The effectiveness of India's BRICS chairship will therefore depend heavily on whether summit-level commitments eventually translate into measurable programmes.
FAQs
What is the BRICS Summit 2026?
The 2026 BRICS Leaders’ Summit is being hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. It is the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
What is India's main theme for BRICS in 2026?
India's chairship is based on “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Why are resilient supply chains important?
Diversified supply chains can reduce the economic damage caused by geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, natural disasters and other disruptions.
Why is AI important to BRICS?
AI can support economic growth and public services, but countries also need cooperation on safety, accessibility, reliability, governance and the potential impact on employment.
How can BRICS help developing countries?
BRICS can provide a platform for developing economies to cooperate on trade, finance, technology, energy, infrastructure and global governance reforms.
Conclusion
The 2026 BRICS Summit comes at a time when the global economy is undergoing major structural changes. Trade patterns are shifting, supply chains are being redesigned and artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming economic activity.
India's agenda reflects these changes. Its priorities—stronger supply chains, greater Global South representation, responsible AI, MSME support, digital cooperation, energy security and expanded trade—are closely connected to the challenges facing emerging economies.
The real test, however, will come after the summit. Declarations alone cannot create resilient supply chains or close the technology gap. The value of India's BRICS presidency will ultimately be measured by whether the group can turn broad ambitions into practical cooperation.
If that happens, the 2026 summit could become an important step toward giving emerging economies a stronger role in shaping the next phase of the global economic and technological order.