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BRICS at Crossroads: India’s 2026 Summit Faces Membership Expansion and Agenda Focus Challenges

Skand Tayal | BRICS at crossroads: At 2026 Summit in Delhi, Keep Focus on Its Core Agenda
Countries
BrazilChinaEgyptIndiaIndonesiaIranRussiaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaUnited Arab Emirates
Cooperation areas
Economic GrowthInclusive MultilateralismInstitutional Development

Source: Deccan Chronicle | Original Published At: 2026-02-18 15:01:45 UTC

Key Points

  • India's 2026 BRICS presidency prioritizes consolidating recent expansion (adding Egypt, Iran, UAE, etc.) and maintaining economic focus over geopolitical posturing
  • South Africa's 2023 unilateral membership expansion caused intra-BRICS tensions, with India advocating for formal membership criteria
  • New members include non-Global South economies (UAE, Saudi Arabia), raising questions about BRICS' identity as either 'Global South' or 'rising major economies' grouping
  • India avoids controversial initiatives like the UNIT gold-backed currency amid US warnings about 'anti-dollar' policies
  • 2026 summit will emphasize people-centric cooperation in health, agriculture, climate, and digital sectors through BRICS Business Council and civil society forums
  • BRICS members coordinate positions ahead of 2026 G20 summit in Miami, balancing cooperation with Western economies
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