BRICS a Bridge or a Divide

BRICS: Basic Overview

BRICS is a grouping of major emerging-market economies that provides a platform for political, economic, financial and people-to-people cooperation.

Evolution of BRICS

• The term BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001 to describe Brazil, Russia, India and China.
• The first BRIC Summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
• South Africa joined in 2011, converting BRIC into BRICS.
• Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE became full members from 1 January 2024.
• Indonesia became a full member in 2025, taking the membership to 11 countries.

BRICS Evolution: At a Glance

BRICS 2026: The Big Picture

India's 2026 theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

BRICS 2026: India's Chairship

India chaired BRICS in 2026 with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The chairship emphasised practical, inclusive, development-oriented and people-centred cooperation.

Three Pillars of BRICS Cooperation

1. Political and Security cooperation.
2. Economic and Financial cooperation.
3. Cultural and People-to-People cooperation.

Three Pillars: Visual Map

BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026

The declaration reaffirmed the BRICS principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus. It identified cooperation across political-security, economic-financial and cultural-people-to-people pillars.

Global Governance and Global South

• BRICS called for a more representative and fairer international order.
• It supported reform of the multilateral system and greater representation for emerging markets and developing countries.
• The summit highlighted the importance of stronger participation of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs) in global decision-making.

Counter-Terrorism

• The declaration reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation against terrorism.
• BRICS supported strengthening cooperation through the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its specialised mechanisms.
• It reiterated the importance of progress towards a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

India's 2026 Cooperation Map

Economic and Financial Cooperation

• The BRICS Payment Task Force continued work on efficient cross-border payment mechanisms.
• Members discussed interoperability of payment and messaging systems and greater use of local currencies for trade and investment settlements.
• India proposed taking forward discussions on a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Gujarat.
• BRICS continued work on the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030.
• India's chairship advanced discussions on a BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development.

New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement

• The New Development Bank (NDB) is the principal BRICS-led multilateral development institution for infrastructure and sustainable development financing.
• The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) functions as a financial safety-net mechanism for member countries facing balance-of-payments pressures.
• BRICS has continued discussions on strengthening local-currency financing and institutional responsiveness.

Sectoral Cooperation Under India's Chairship

Health

• BRICS cooperation covered Universal Health Coverage (UHC), tuberculosis, vaccine research and development, digital health and mental health.
• NIMHANS was identified as the coordinating centre for the BRICS network of centres of excellence in mental health.

Agriculture and Food Security

• BRICS emphasised food security, sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.
• The grouping advanced work relating to the BRICS Grain Exchange and BRICS AGRIN.
• Cooperation also covered digital agriculture, agroecology and regenerative agriculture.

Energy, Climate and Critical Minerals

• BRICS discussed energy security and an inclusive and orderly energy transition.
• Priority areas included smart grids, energy storage and hydrogen.
• Members also discussed climate finance, critical minerals and resilient sustainable supply chains.

Artificial Intelligence

• BRICS promoted international cooperation on safe, secure, inclusive and reliable Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• The grouping advanced cooperation in AI science, innovation and global AI governance.
• The BRICS Leaders' Statement on Global AI Governance formed part of the 2026 outcomes.

Trade, MSMEs and Industry

• BRICS promoted resilient and diversified Global Value Chains (GVCs) and trade facilitation.
• The 2026 chairship advanced cooperation on MSME competitiveness, finance, technology and sustainable growth.
• The BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies supports cooperation in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.

India's BRICS 2026 Initiatives and Meetings

BRICS: Important Institutions and Mechanisms

11 BRICS Members: Quick Recall

Institution → Function

Prelims Quick Revision

60-Second Revision Chain

Test Yourself

Mains Framework

Points for Answer

• Introduction: Define BRICS and mention its expansion and growing role in emerging-market cooperation.
• Opportunities: Global South representation, development finance, trade, technology, health, energy and AI cooperation.
• India's contribution: New Delhi Declaration, economic partnership work, payment cooperation, Risk Lab proposal, AI and development initiatives.
• Challenges: Different national interests, economic structures, geopolitical positions and the need for consensus.
• Way Forward: Focus on practical, sector-specific cooperation while preserving consensus and national sovereignty.