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BRICS: An expanding platform that has evolved as significant global force

Source: Lokmat Times | Original Published At: 2026-09-10 13:31:07 UTC

Key Points

  • India hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi after assuming the BRICS Chairmanship for 2026 from Brazil.
  • Leaders of the 11 BRICS member countries are scheduled to meet on Saturday, while partner countries and outreach invitees will join summit programmes on Sunday.
  • BRICS originated as BRIC in 2006, held its first summit in 2009, and expanded to include South Africa in 2011.
  • Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates became full members in January 2024, followed by Indonesia in January 2025.
  • The bloc represents more than 40 per cent of the world's population and nearly a quarter of global GDP, with China emerging as the largest trading partner for most members.
  • BRICS has positioned itself as a platform for Global South concerns, including climate change, United Nations Security Council reform and resistance to unilateral sanctions.
  • In 2014, BRICS established the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement to provide financial alternatives to Bretton Woods institutions.
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