India is set to host the BRICS summit in 2026, a significant event that underscores the nation's growing global prominence and its commitment to fostering international cooperation. The announcement was made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the conclusion of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia. This will be the XVIII BRICS Summit.
The BRICS forum, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has become an increasingly influential platform for discussing and addressing global challenges. As India prepares to assume the BRICS chairpersonship, it faces both opportunities and challenges in steering the alliance toward meaningful cooperation.
India's economic momentum presents a unique opportunity to lead the bloc. Morgan Stanley has projected that India will outpace all major economies in 2025–26, with a growth forecast of 5.9% in 2025 accelerating to 6.4% in 2026. This makes India the fastest-growing economy among major nations, driven by domestic investment, structural reforms, and thriving equity markets.
However, the BRICS bloc grapples with internal divisions that threaten its cohesion. Disagreements have surfaced on critical issues such as advocating for permanent UN Security Council seats for Brazil, India, and South Africa. These divisions highlight the complexities of managing a diverse group of nations with varying interests.
Despite these challenges, there have been instances of unity among BRICS members. Recently, member countries aligned to condemn American and Israeli military strikes on Iran, a newer BRICS member, denouncing the attacks as violations of international law. This demonstrates the potential for cooperation on specific issues, even amidst broader disagreements.
At the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of global peace and security, calling terrorism the "most serious challenge" facing humanity. He stressed that condemning terrorism should be a matter of principle, not convenience, and highlighted the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, as a reminder of the threat terrorism poses to global peace. BRICS nations also strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and called for a "collectively" global approach with a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
PM Modi also stated that India supports every effort that takes the world away from division and conflict and leads it towards dialogue, cooperation, and coordination, and increases solidarity and trust. He invited BRICS leaders to India for the next summit in 2026, under India's chairmanship.
As India prepares to host the BRICS summit in 2026, it faces the task of leveraging its economic strength to bridge divides and foster consensus within the bloc. The success of India's chairmanship will depend not only on its economic performance but also on its ability to promote unity and drive meaningful progress on key global issues.
