Table of Contents
18th BRICS Summit 2026: Key Overview
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit on 12–13 September 2026 in New Delhi. This milestone event marks the fourth time India has assumed the BRICS Presidency, following its successful tenures in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
India's 2026 presidency emphasizes a "Humanity First" and "People-centric" approach, focusing on global cooperation, economic resilience, and inclusive development across the Global South.
Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (लचीलापन, नवाचार, सहयोग और सतत विकास के लिए निर्माण).
Official Summit Theme
Summit Quick Facts
| Key Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Summit Edition | 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit |
| Dates | 12–13 September 2026 |
| Host City & Country | New Delhi, India |
| Host Presidency | India (4th time: 2012, 2016, 2021, 2026) |
| Total Full Members | 11 Member Nations (Latest: Indonesia) |
| Total Partner Countries | 10 Countries (Latest: Vietnam) |
| Preceding Summit (17th) | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2025) |
Expanded BRICS Architecture: Members & Partners
Following recent expansions, the grouping represents approximately 49.5% of the global population, nearly 40% of global GDP, and around 26% of international trade.
11 Full Member Nations
The grouping consists of 11 full member states, with Indonesia being the latest member to join in January 2025:
- Founding & Early Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
- Expanded Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia (11th Member)
10 Official Partner Countries
BRICS officially associates with 10 partner nations, with Vietnam joining as the 10th partner country in June 2025:
| No. | Partner Nation | No. | Partner Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 6 | Nigeria |
| 2 | Bolivia | 7 | Thailand |
| 3 | Cuba | 8 | Uganda |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 9 | Uzbekistan |
| 5 | Malaysia | 10 | Vietnam (Latest Partner) |
Symbolism of the BRICS 2026 Logo
The official BRICS 2026 logo combines two cultural symbols:
- The Lotus Flower: As India's national flower, the lotus signifies resilience, harmony, and transcendental growth. Its multi-colored petals illustrate the diverse cultural identities and collective unity of member states.
- The "Namaste" Gesture: Centered within the logo, the traditional Indian folded-hand posture represents welcoming warmth, mutual respect, inclusivity, and shared cooperation.
The BRICS "POWER" Framework
Presented in the run-up to the summit on 7 September 2026 by Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, the POWER Framework seeks to drive South-South cooperation:
| Letter | Principle Component | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| P | Principle | Adherence to foundational sovereign principles |
| O | Openness | Fostering transparent, inclusive global ties |
| W | Win-Win | Creating mutually beneficial economic outcomes |
| E | Engine | Serving as an engine of global economic growth |
| R | Responsibility | Assuming global and regional responsibilities |
New Development Bank (NDB) & Financial Tracks
The financial pillars of BRICS trace back to the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (15 July 2014), where agreements establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) were signed:
Headquartered in Shanghai, China, the New Development Bank (NDB) serves as an alternative financing institution funding critical infrastructure and sustainable development projects across emerging economies.
Institutional Framework
Ahead of the leaders' gathering, the 1st BRICS Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors Meeting of 2026 was held in Jaipur on 12–13 August 2026, tackling multilateral financial governance, infrastructure investments, and NDB expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has India hosted the BRICS Summit?
India has held the BRICS Chairmanship four times: in 2012 (New Delhi), 2016 (Goa), 2021 (Virtual/New Delhi), and 2026 (New Delhi).
Who originally coined the term BRIC?
Economist Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs conceptualized the term 'BRIC' in 2001 to identify the high-growth emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2011 to form BRICS.
Which country is the newest member of BRICS in 2026?
Indonesia is the newest full member, having joined in January 2025 as the 11th member nation.
Source:
Official 18th BRICS Summit 2026 Documentation & Briefing Notes
