Overview
On 4 August 2026, India extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the outreach session of the upcoming BRICS summit. The invitation is in his capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC. The summit will be hosted by New Delhi on 12‑13 September 2026.
Key Developments
- India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the invitation during a regular media briefing.
- The invitation follows the standard practice of inviting heads of regional groups to the outreach session of the 18th BRICS summit.
- Other regional group leaders have also been invited, reflecting BRICS’ inclusive approach.
- Leaders expected at the summit include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Important Facts
BRICS, originally five members, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates and added Indonesia in 2025. The bloc now represents about 49.5% of the world population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade. India, as the current chair, will host the summit and steer discussions on pressing issues such as the economic fallout from the West Asia crisis.
BIMSTEC’s seven members – India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan – cooperate on trade, connectivity, energy and security in the Bay of Bengal region.
Exam Relevance
The invitation highlights several themes relevant to the UPSC syllabus:
- India’s diplomatic outreach and its role in shaping multilateral forums – important for GS2.
- The expanding composition of BRICS and its impact on global economic governance – a key topic for GS3.
- The strategic significance of regional groupings like BIMSTEC in India’s neighbourhood policy – covered under GS2.
Way Forward
India is likely to use the outreach session to deepen cooperation with BIMSTEC members, especially Bangladesh, on trade, connectivity and security. The expanded BRICS platform offers India an avenue to voice concerns over the West Asia crisis and to push for reforms in global financial institutions. Aspirants should monitor the outcomes of the summit, as they will shape India’s foreign policy narrative and its positioning in emerging‑economy coalitions.