As countries redraw their strategic partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world, the grouping that US President Donald Trump once dismissed as a "little group" is emerging as a more influential force in global affairs.

India ⁠is ⁠pushing to link central bank digital ⁠currencies (CBDCs) across BRICS nations for cross-border payments at a summit later this week, ​despite political and technical hurdles that could limit progress,

WTO review exposes trade concerns among BRICS partners, with China, Indonesia and Brazil seeking greater predictability and fewer barriers in India's trade regime

The initiative builds on the declaration adopted at the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, which called for greater interoperability among member countries' payment systems to improve the efficiency of cross-border transactions.

Officials are confident of bridging Iran-UAE gap. Focus remains on a compromise formula that could include calling out unprovoked aggression, without condemning specific nations.

New Delhi seeks progress on trade, payments, energy security and supply chains, while managing ties with China, Russia and the wider Global South

BRICS WBA Chairperson Avarna Jain has called India's presidency "phenomenal," citing key initiatives like a knowledge paper on digital public infrastructure modelled after UPI. The alliance's humanity-first approach was highlighted at a summit in Delhi.