As India prepares to assume the BRICS presidency in 2026, the nation's focus will be on amplifying the voice of the Global South within the international arena. This commitment aligns with India's consistent advocacy for collective global action on pressing issues such as sustainable development, climate transition, and inclusive growth.

India's efforts to champion the Global South have gained momentum, evidenced by the inclusion of the African Union into the G20 during India's presidency in 2023. This precedent is mirrored in BRICS, which is undergoing significant expansion with countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joining the bloc. Many other nations from West Asia, Africa, and Latin America have expressed interest, viewing BRICS as a credible platform to champion their interests.

India's vision for BRICS revolves around themes of resilience, innovation, and sustainability, mirroring the priorities from its 2023 G20 presidency. During the BRICS 2025 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's ethical and inclusive approach to artificial intelligence, advocating for AI to enhance human values and capabilities under the motto 'AI for All'.

The BRICS 2025 summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” culminated in the Rio Declaration, underscoring the group's dedication to multilateralism and a fairer global system. The declaration calls for increased participation and a stronger voice for Global South countries, particularly from Latin America and Africa, in global decision-making processes, including reforms in the IMF, World Trade Organization, and the United Nations.

India's engagement within BRICS seeks to shape a global order where emerging economies have a rightful voice and a path to shared prosperity. India aims to advocate for a more balanced, inclusive, and representative international order where development, security, and innovation are global and collaborative endeavors in a multipolar world.

India's priorities for BRICS include expanding trade in national currencies, addressing climate change through initiatives like the LiFE mission, promoting digital and financial inclusion, and sharing its achievements in women-led development and digital public infrastructure. These efforts reflect India's commitment to deepening economic cooperation within BRICS and extending the benefits to the broader Global South.

Russia's Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has also highlighted the importance of BRICS as a platform for the Global South, emphasizing the need for equal access to technological, financial, and natural resources to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that BRICS is inclusive, not anti-West, and has become an indispensable framework for emerging centers of power.

Victoria Panova, head of the BRICS Expert Council for Russia, emphasized India's readiness to take on a leadership role and shape the future of international cooperation, particularly in addressing global challenges like climate change, global health, and digital transformation. She highlighted BRICS' role in offering fair financing, technology sharing, and capacity building to uplift the Global South.

India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, has stated that India's basic agenda has been global governance reform. He noted the strategic partnership between India and Brazil, with a common agenda of global governance reforms and a strong stance on counterterrorism.

The BRICS partnership, now comprising eleven countries, serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for the Global South, aiming to strengthen cooperation and increase the influence of these nations in international governance. The bloc seeks to improve the legitimacy, equity, and efficiency of global institutions like the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO, while promoting sustainable socio-economic development and social inclusion.