Overview
The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi on 12‑13 September 2026. China has pledged full support to India’s rotating presidency and outlined a five‑point “POWER” framework to deepen cooperation among the members.
Key Developments
- P – Principle: Emphasises adherence to the United Nations Charter and core norms such as sovereign equality and peaceful dispute settlement.
- O – Openness: Calls for a rules‑based global trade system anchored by the WTO, and rejects protectionist measures.
- W – Win‑Win: Stresses inclusive growth, faster implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and a post‑2030 development agenda.
- E – Engine: Highlights that G-7 growth will lag behind a projected three‑fold faster rise of greater BRICS by 2028.
- R – Responsibility: Calls for BRICS to act as a stabilising force for world peace and to coordinate closely between India and China.
Important Facts
• BRICS members together represent nearly half of the world’s population, about 30 % of global GDP, and 20 % of world trade.
• China has established the China‑BRICS AI Development and Cooperation Center and the China‑BRICS New Quality Productive Forces Research Center to promote technology sharing.
• After a six‑year pause, direct flights and border trade between China and India have resumed, signalling improved bilateral ties.
Exam Relevance
The article touches on several core UPSC topics: international organisations (BRICS, WTO), global governance principles, the shift towards a multipolar world order, and the role of emerging economies in shaping the post‑pandemic development agenda. Understanding the “POWER” framework helps answer questions on India’s foreign policy priorities, South‑South cooperation, and the challenges of protectionism.
Way Forward
- Strengthen coordination on macro‑economic policies to cushion external shocks.
- Expand use of local currencies and cross‑border payment systems to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
- Deepen cooperation in AI‑driven sectors such as agriculture, health and education.
- Promote inclusive participation of Global South nations in shaping the post‑2030 development agenda.
- Maintain a stable India‑China partnership to ensure smooth rotation of the BRICS presidency and to safeguard collective interests.
Successful implementation of these steps will enable BRICS to act as a credible engine of global growth and a counter‑balance to traditional power blocs.