The international system is undergoing a period of significant transformation.
Trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, technological competition and the fragmentation of global supply chains are challenging the assumptions that underpinned the post-Cold War global order.
Against this background, the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, assumes considerable significance for India and the Global South.
The summit was held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and resulted in the New Delhi Declaration. The declaration reaffirmed cooperation across political-security, economic-financial and cultural and people-to-people dimensions. Press Information Bureau
BRICS and the changing world order
BRICS has evolved considerably since its original formation.
Its significance today lies not merely in the economic size of its members but in the wider question of representation in global governance.
Institutions created in an earlier phase of international politics continue to face demands for greater representation of emerging economies.
This has made reform of institutions such as the:
- United Nations Security Council;
- International Monetary Fund;
- World Bank;
- global financial architecture
an important part of the Global South discourse.
India's position
India's participation in BRICS reflects its broader foreign-policy objective of maintaining strategic autonomy.
India simultaneously engages with:
- BRICS;
- G20;
- Quad;
- SCO;
- ASEAN-led mechanisms;
- European Union;
- United States;
- Russia;
- Japan.
This is not necessarily contradictory.
India's foreign policy increasingly operates through issue-based partnerships rather than rigid bloc politics.
BRICS and economic cooperation
The economic dimension of BRICS is particularly important.
The grouping provides opportunities for cooperation in:
- trade;
- investment;
- development finance;
- digital payments;
- financial resilience;
- energy;
- critical minerals.
However, greater economic cooperation requires practical mechanisms.
Political declarations alone cannot create integrated markets.
Infrastructure, payment systems, regulatory compatibility and trust are equally important.
BRICS and the Global South
India has consistently attempted to place the developmental concerns of the Global South on international platforms.
These concerns include:
- access to development finance;
- food and energy security;
- climate finance;
- technology access;
- health;
- debt sustainability;
- digital inclusion.
BRICS can become an important platform for these issues if cooperation remains focused on concrete outcomes.
AI and emerging technologies
Technology is emerging as a new dimension of geopolitical power.
Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing and critical technologies are increasingly shaping economic competitiveness.
The BRICS framework can provide a platform for cooperation in:
- AI research;
- digital public infrastructure;
- cybersecurity;
- technology standards;
- digital inclusion.
For India, this is especially important because technological sovereignty increasingly forms part of national sovereignty.
Limitations of BRICS
BRICS is not a homogeneous grouping.
Member countries differ substantially in:
- political systems;
- economic structures;
- strategic priorities;
- relations with Western countries;
- regional interests.
Consequently, BRICS should not be viewed as a conventional military or political alliance.
Its future effectiveness will depend on its ability to identify areas where interests converge despite wider differences.
India's challenge
India must extract maximum diplomatic and economic value from BRICS while maintaining productive relations with other major powers.
This requires avoiding a zero-sum interpretation of international relations.
India's objective is not to choose one camp permanently.
It is to preserve policy autonomy while advancing national interests through multiple partnerships.
Conclusion
The significance of BRICS lies ultimately in the broader transformation of global politics.
The international system is becoming more distributed, more competitive and more technologically driven.
For India, BRICS offers a platform to shape discussions on the Global South, development, technology and global governance.
The larger challenge is to convert India's growing diplomatic presence into institutional influence, economic opportunity and developmental outcomes.
UPSC GS-II: International Relations, Global Groupings, Global South, Multilateral Institutions APPSC/TGPSC: International Relations, India's Foreign Policy, International Organisations
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