From its humble beginnings as BRIC to an influential coalition of 11 nations, BRICS today stands poised to reshape global economic dynamics. With nearly 40% of the world's GDP, the upcoming 2026 Summit in India will be a pivotal moment for emerging economies.

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.

The 18th Brics Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping for discussions on economic cooperation, technology, energy and food security,

The two-day summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12-13 under India’s chairship, with Chinese President Xi Jinping among the leaders attending

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.

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,

Xi bilateral talks, focus on the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, and explore practical cross-border digital payment frameworks.

Vladimir Putin will visit India for the BRICS Summit and bilateral talks with Narendra Modi. The trip also packs business diplomacy and side meetings that could shape BRICS coordination.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to be represented by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, while Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira is listed among the expected participants.

India will push BRICS nations to expand the use of central bank-backed digital currencies for cross-border payments, while stopping short of supporting a unified payments network that could be seen as a challenge to the dollar,

I would say that it would be a good idea for India to offer New Delhi as the home of the BRICS and offer the first secretary general, says Ajay Bisaria