New Delhi, India | 1 January 2026
India formally assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS grouping on 1 January 2026, initiating its leadership role in coordinating the bloc’s intergovernmental activities for the calendar year. This marks India’s fourth term chairing the bloc.
BRICS is an international cooperation framework comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recently admitted members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. The presidency rotates annually among member states and is responsible for organising meetings, policy discussions, and summit preparations.
India’s presidency follows Brazil’s leadership during 2025. As chair, India is responsible for scheduling ministerial meetings, working group discussions, and diplomatic coordination across multiple sectors including finance, trade, security, and development policy. The presidency will culminate in the hosting of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit later in the year.
Government officials indicated that India plans to host numerous BRICS-related meetings throughout 2026. These engagements typically include foreign ministers, finance ministers, national security advisers, central bank representatives, and sectoral policymakers.
During the transition of leadership, Indian authorities outlined preliminary cooperation priorities. These include areas such as digital governance development, economic cooperation among member states, climate-related financial initiatives, and institutional coordination among Global South economies.
The BRICS presidency provides administrative coordination and agenda-setting responsibilities during the one-year term. Each member state maintains equal participation in decision-making processes under the BRICS consensus-based governance model.
With the presidency transition completed on 1 January 2026, preparatory diplomatic consultations, meeting scheduling, and policy coordination activities began across BRICS institutions and working groups.
References:
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs. “India Assumes BRICS Chairship.” mea.gov.in, 1 Jan. 2026.
- BRICS 2026 India. “About BRICS.” brics2026.gov.in, https://www.brics2026.gov.in/about-us/#about_overview
