The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2026, with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and eight other observer nations in attendance. The summit aimed to strengthen the bloc's political and economic influence as an alternative to Western-led global governance structures. However, internal divisions within BRICS—particularly between India and China—hampered efforts for cohesive action.
Chinese President Xi Jinping received a warm welcome during his first visit to India since 2019, symbolizing thawing relations despite ongoing border disputes. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for cooperation within the expanded BRICS framework while maintaining ties with Western powers like the United States.
Key discussions revolved around trade, payment systems, and reducing reliance on foreign currencies. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged BRICS nations to link their payment systems and conduct more trade in local currencies, highlighting the bloc's significant economic weight representing nearly 40% of global GDP.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain due to differing national interests and priorities among member states. India, for instance, continues to value its relationship with the U.S., while China seeks greater influence globally through initiatives like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). These internal dynamics limit BRICS' ability to present a united front against Western dominance.
Overall, while the summit marked progress in bilateral relations and economic collaboration, it also highlighted the group's struggle for unified action on global issues.
