India’s BRICS presidency 2026
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Subject: International Organisation
Context: Brazil has formally handed over the BRICS (18th) presidency to India for 2026, amid global trade frictions and geopolitical tensions.
About India’s BRICS presidency 2026:
What it is?
• India will serve as the rotating (pro tempore) Chair of BRICS in 2026. As Chair, India will set priorities, convene meetings, and host the annual summit for the year.
Established in:
• Origins (BRIC): Political dialogue began with the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2006 (UNGA sidelines).
• Leaders’ summit start: The first summit of heads of state/government took place in 2009 (Yekaterinburg).
• BRICS formed: South Africa joined in 2011, turning BRIC into BRICS.
Headquarters: No permanent HQ and it works as an informal coordination platform with a rotating presidency.
• The New Development Bank (NDB) is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia.
How is the BRICS Presidency decided?
• Not elected by voting. The BRICS presidency is rotational, not chosen through an election.
• Rotation principle: The chairmanship rotates annually among member countries, traditionally following the alphabetical order of the acronym “BRICS”.
• Tenure: Each presidency runs from 1 January to 31 December of the year.
• Role of the President country: Sets the annual agenda and priorities Chairs meetings at all levels (Sherpas, Ministers, Leaders) Hosts the BRICS Summit
• Sets the annual agenda and priorities
• Chairs meetings at all levels (Sherpas, Ministers, Leaders)
• Hosts the BRICS Summit
Official language of BRICS: No single official language is prescribed in the BRICS Charter.
Key functions of BRICS:
• Political coordination: Builds common positions on major global issues and pushes for a fairer world order.
• Economic and financial cooperation: Promotes trade, investment coordination, and reform of global financial governance.
• Development finance: Uses institutions like the NDB to fund infrastructure and sustainable development in EMDCs.
• People-to-people pillar: Expands cultural, academic, youth and civil society engagement across members.
• Bridge-building for Global South: Provides a platform where developing countries amplify shared priorities.
Significance of India’s BRICS presidency:
• India can steer agendas on development finance, health, and technology equity.
• India can strengthen calls for reform of institutions like UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO.