The upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi comes at a defining moment for India and the global order. As India holds the BRICS chairmanship in 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has an opportunity not merely to host another international summit, but to demonstrate India's growing capacity to shape global economic and geopolitical affairs. The summit, scheduled for September 12–13 in New Delhi, brings together an expanded BRICS grouping at a time when geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, energy insecurity and strategic competition are reshaping international relations. 

BRICS has changed significantly since its original formation. The grouping now consists of 11 members, representing a substantial share of the world's population and economy. The expansion has increased its potential influence but has also made consensus more difficult. For India, therefore, the central challenge is to demonstrate that BRICS can become a constructive platform for cooperation among emerging economies rather than simply an instrument of confrontation with the West. 

The importance of the summit begins with India's growing diplomatic role. New Delhi today participates simultaneously in multiple major platforms, including BRICS, the G20, the Quad and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This reflects India's preference for strategic autonomy rather than alignment with any single power bloc. The BRICS presidency gives Modi an additional opportunity to present India as a bridge between developed economies, emerging powers and the wider Global South.

This is particularly important because the world is moving towards a more fragmented and multipolar system. The traditional dominance of the Western-led international economic architecture is being challenged by the rise of China, India and other emerging economies. Countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East are seeking greater representation in global decision-making. India can use its BRICS presidency to argue for reforms in institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank and for a greater voice for developing countries. Analysts have identified reform of global governance as an important element of India's strategic approach to BRICS. 

For the Modi government, however, the summit is also a delicate diplomatic balancing exercise. China and Russia remain two of the most important BRICS powers, while the United States and Europe remain critical economic, technological and strategic partners for India. New Delhi therefore cannot afford to allow BRICS to be perceived simply as an anti-American or anti-Western coalition.

India's strength lies precisely in maintaining relationships with competing centres of power. It can cooperate with Washington on technology and defence, with Moscow on energy and defence, with Europe on trade and investment, and with countries of the Global South on development and infrastructure. BRICS provides another platform through which India can pursue this multi-alignment strategy.

The expected presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping makes the summit especially significant. Xi's anticipated visit to India would be his first in seven years and comes after years of tension following the 2020 border confrontation. Although relations have begun to stabilise, substantial distrust remains. A Modi-Xi interaction on the margins of BRICS could therefore have implications extending well beyond the summit itself. 

For India, better management of the China relationship is essential. The objective does not necessarily have to be a complete strategic rapprochement. Rather, New Delhi needs a stable environment in which competition does not constantly threaten economic growth, border security and regional stability. BRICS offers a rare forum where the Indian and Chinese leaderships can engage while also participating in a broader multilateral framework.

Russia is another major factor. The Ukraine conflict and continuing changes in global energy markets have made India's relationship with Russia strategically important. India has consistently sought to protect its national interests while maintaining dialogue with both Russia and the West. BRICS gives New Delhi a platform to engage Moscow while reinforcing India's independent foreign-policy position.

Energy security will be one of the most important issues before India and the wider BRICS grouping. Global conflicts have repeatedly demonstrated how quickly disruptions in oil supplies, shipping routes and energy infrastructure can affect inflation and economic growth. India, as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, requires reliable and affordable energy supplies. Cooperation within BRICS on energy security, technology and investment can therefore have direct consequences for India's economic stability. The 2026 BRICS energy agenda has already focused on energy security, sustainability, access and technology. 

Economic cooperation is another area where India can seek concrete results. The summit should not become merely a platform for speeches and declarations. India needs greater trade, investment, supply-chain resilience, infrastructure financing and technological cooperation among BRICS economies.

One particularly promising area is digital payments. India has built one of the world's most successful digital-payment ecosystems through UPI. Prime Minister Modi has advocated greater digital-payment connectivity among BRICS countries. If BRICS members can progressively establish interoperable payment systems, Indian businesses, exporters, tourists and migrant workers could benefit from cheaper and faster cross-border transactions. 

This could also become an important component of India's soft power. India's experience with Aadhaar, UPI, digital public infrastructure and technology-enabled public services offers a model that other developing countries can adapt. India's BRICS presidency has already promoted cooperation on trusted digital infrastructure, connectivity, innovation and digital skills. 

The summit also connects directly with India's long-term economic ambitions. The vision of a developed India by 2047 requires sustained economic growth, manufacturing expansion, technological innovation, employment generation and integration with global markets. BRICS can contribute by opening new markets for Indian companies and creating partnerships in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, space technology and advanced manufacturing.

There is also a domestic political significance for the Modi government. A successful summit would strengthen India's image as a country capable of organising and leading major international institutions. After India's G20 presidency, another high-profile international gathering provides an opportunity to reinforce the narrative that India has moved from being primarily a participant in global affairs to becoming an agenda-setter.

But success should not be measured by the number of leaders attending Delhi or the symbolism of diplomatic meetings. The real test will be whether India can convert its BRICS presidency into tangible outcomes for its citizens and businesses.

India should aim for stronger financial connectivity, expanded trade, resilient supply chains, affordable energy, digital cooperation, development financing and greater representation for the Global South. It should also ensure that BRICS remains open to dialogue with other major international institutions rather than becoming isolated from the wider global economy.

The Delhi summit is therefore much more than another diplomatic event. It comes at a time when the world is searching for a new balance between geopolitical competition and economic cooperation. For Prime Minister Modi, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate India's ability to engage simultaneously with Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Europe and the developing world.

The larger message India can send is clear: India does not seek a world divided into rival camps; it seeks a multipolar world in which emerging economies have a stronger voice and national interests are respected.

If India can use the BRICS presidency to build consensus among diverse countries while delivering practical economic and technological cooperation, the summit could become another important milestone in India's emergence as a major global power. For Modi's government, the challenge is to ensure that India's leadership of BRICS translates into a larger diplomatic role, stronger economic partnerships and greater strategic autonomy.

The real significance of BRICS 2026, therefore, is not simply that the world is coming to Delhi. It is that the world is increasingly looking at India as one of the countries capable of helping shape what comes next.

Author is an Assistant Professor, NIT Warangal and Visiting Fellow, India Foundation, New Delhi