From AI, digital payments to trade, 7 major ideas India wants to put on global table
New Delhi is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and 13, with leaders of the expanded 11-member grouping gathering at Bharat Mandapam.
The summit is especially significant for India as BRICS completes 20 years. From the original Brazil, Russia, India and China grouping, later joined by South Africa, the bloc now also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Indonesia became a full member in 2025.
India’s bigger challenge is to turn this expanded group into something practical. Here are seven key areas New Delhi is expected to focus on.
1. A bigger voice for the Global South
India wants BRICS to push for greater representation of developing nations in institutions such as the UN, IMF and World Bank. New Delhi wants cooperation without turning the bloc into an anti-Western alliance, despite differing approaches within BRICS.
2. Stronger trade and supply chains
With wars, sanctions and protectionism disrupting global trade, India is pushing for diversified and more reliable supply chains. Members have backed work on the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2030, while India wants more trade in goods and services.
3. Easier cross-border payments
India is expected to promote digital payments, fintech and greater use of national currencies. Its UPI experience gives New Delhi a strong model for making international transactions faster and cheaper.
4. AI and technology cooperation
India wants BRICS to become a technology partnership, with cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure, research and innovation. Proposals include a startup innovation fund, incubator network and shared research repository.
5. Energy security and climate
The bloc brings together major energy producers and consumers. India wants BRICS to balance affordable energy with climate goals and build a ‘secure, resilient, equitable and sustainable’ energy future.
6. Cracking down on economic fugitives
India will push for faster financial information-sharing, asset recovery and cooperation between enforcement agencies. The aim is to prevent economic offender cases from getting trapped in lengthy international procedures.
7. Keeping an expanded BRICS practical
With 11 members and more partner countries, consensus will be harder. India has already organised over 400 meetings across nearly 30 cities. The Delhi summit will test whether that groundwork can produce concrete results.
Read More: BRICS Summit 2026: All CBSE, ICSE, govt, private schools to remain closed on September 11, traffic restrictions and road closures expected; Check details
For India, success may not mean challenging the G7 overnight. The bigger win could be making BRICS a useful platform for trade, technology, energy and Global South cooperation while preserving New Delhi’s strategic autonomy.
First published on: Sep 08, 2026 12:53 PM IST
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