• Host country: India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026. India assumed the BRICS Chairship in January 2026, succeeding Brazil. 
• Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
• Significance: The summit marked the beginning of BRICS’ third decade of cooperation and focused on strengthening the voice of the Global South.
• Membership: The expanded BRICS grouping comprises 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

Important Outcomes of the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 

• New Delhi Declaration: BRICS leaders adopted a joint declaration reaffirming cooperation in political and security affairs, economic and financial matters, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

• BRICS Risk Lab: India’s proposal to establish a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City, Gujarat, received support. It is intended to strengthen cooperation in identifying and managing financial and economic risks.

• New Investment Platform: BRICS agreed to proceed with the phased, consensus-based development of a New Investment Platform to promote investment cooperation among member countries.

• New Development Bank (NDB): Members encouraged the NDB to expand local-currency financing and diversify its funding sources to support development projects.

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India promoted a BRICS repository of digital public infrastructure solutions to facilitate knowledge-sharing and technological cooperation among member countries.

• Artificial Intelligence: BRICS emphasized safe, inclusive and equitable AI development. Cooperation in AI research, access to technology and innovation was highlighted.

• BRICS Training Hub Network: The summit welcomed initiatives for training and capacity-building, including mental-health workforce development and Centres of Excellence, with NIMHANS, India, as the coordinating centre.

• BRICS AGRIN: Members agreed to a voluntary, farmer-centric framework for cooperation in seeds, germplasm and agricultural inputs.

• BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle: A joint initiative and roadmap for 2026–2029 was launched to promote preventive healthcare and address obesity and other non-communicable diseases.

• Energy Transition: The declaration supported a just, orderly, equitable and inclusive energy transition, while recognizing the continuing importance of fossil fuels for developing economies.

• International Peace and Security: BRICS called for maximum restraint, dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts in West Asia.