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India and the Future of BRICS: Leadership Through Partnership and Shared Prosperity. By Farooq Ganderbali
As the international community navigates a period of significant geopolitical and economic change, India’s fourth BRICS Chairship in 2026 carries considerable importance. It comes at a moment when countries across the Global South are seeking greater economic cooperation, stronger representation and practical solutions to shared challenges.
India assumed the BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026, and the year also marks two decades since the establishment of BRICS. It is therefore an appropriate moment to reflect on the evolution of the grouping and its future role in an increasingly interconnected world.
India’s Chairship: From Dialogue to Practical Cooperation
Under India’s Chairship, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across more than 25 cities. These initiatives have advanced cooperation across the three principal pillars of BRICS: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The breadth of these engagements reflects India’s commitment to making BRICS more practical, inclusive and development-oriented.
By bringing discussions beyond traditional diplomatic settings and encouraging business-to-business and people-to-people engagement, India has sought to strengthen the foundations of long-term cooperation among BRICS members.
India’s Civilisational and Democratic Contribution
India brings a distinctive combination of civilisational heritage, cultural diversity, democratic institutions and economic dynamism to BRICS.
As the world’s largest democracy, India demonstrates that diversity can coexist with national unity and economic ambition. Its traditions, languages, communities and cultural expressions form an extraordinary part of its global identity.
At the same time, India is rapidly expanding its capabilities in technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, financial technology, space exploration and entrepreneurship.
For BRICS partners, India therefore represents not only a large and growing market, but also a source of innovation, talent, investment and new economic opportunities.
Strengthening Economic Partnerships
The future of BRICS will depend substantially on its ability to translate economic potential into tangible benefits for businesses and citizens.
The discussions among BRICS Finance Ministers and central bank governors on more efficient cross-border payment mechanisms are particularly relevant. Making international payments faster, more affordable, accessible, transparent and secure can facilitate trade and investment while supporting greater economic connectivity.
Improving interoperability between payment and messaging systems and exploring appropriate mechanisms for local-currency settlements can further strengthen cooperation, while respecting the individual priorities of BRICS members.
India’s experience in digital financial infrastructure and innovation can make an important contribution to this process.
Peace, Security and the Fight Against Terrorism
India also brings valuable experience to discussions on international peace and security.
India has faced serious security challenges, including terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. The tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025 by Pakistani sponsered terrorists, in which innocent tourists lost their lives, underlined the devastating human consequences of terrorism.
India has consistently emphasised the importance of international cooperation against terrorism in all its forms, including preventing terrorist financing, recruitment and radicalisation.
At the same time, India’s broader approach remains focused on peace, stability, development and opportunity.
Jammu & Kashmir’s progress in tourism, infrastructure, education, sports and entrepreneurship demonstrates the importance of creating an environment in which young people can pursue their aspirations through peaceful and productive means.
The international community has a shared interest in ensuring that development and peace prevail over violence and extremism.
Diplomacy and Strategic Autonomy
India’s international engagement is characterised by dialogue and strategic autonomy.
New Delhi maintains constructive relationships with a wide range of countries and regional groupings, including Russia, the United States, Europe, Iran, the Gulf countries and partners across Africa and Asia.
This approach enables India to engage with different perspectives while remaining focused on its national interests and its broader commitment to international cooperation.
India’s engagement with Russia is one example.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions with President Vladimir Putin on trade, defence, energy, critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation demonstrate the continuing importance of the bilateral relationship.
At the same time, India has consistently encouraged dialogue and diplomacy in addressing international conflicts and has called for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This combination of partnership, dialogue and strategic independence is an important feature of India’s foreign policy.
India and the Wider Region
The participation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the BRICS Summit also reflects the growing importance of India’s engagement with the wider region.
India and Iran have longstanding historical and cultural connections, as well as important interests in trade, connectivity and regional development.
At a time when geopolitical tensions are affecting energy and agricultural supply chains, constructive dialogue among countries can contribute to greater resilience and stability.
India’s approach is centred on engagement, connectivity and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
The Human Dimension of BRICS
BRICS should ultimately be judged not only by diplomatic declarations but also by its contribution to the lives of ordinary people.
Trade, investment and financial cooperation matter because they can create employment and opportunity. Technology matters because it can improve access to healthcare, education and financial services. Cultural exchanges matter because they build understanding between societies.
India’s emphasis on business-to-business and people-to-people engagement therefore has particular significance.
The future of BRICS should be built not only through relations between governments, but also through relationships among businesses, universities, innovators, young people and communities.
India’s Vision for a Cooperative BRICS
BRICS is a diverse grouping. Its members have different political systems, economic priorities and strategic perspectives.
That diversity should be approached not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for dialogue.
India’s strength lies in its ability to engage with different partners while seeking areas of common interest.
A successful BRICS can contribute to economic resilience, sustainable development, technological cooperation, energy security, food security, healthcare, education and international peace.
These are shared objectives that transcend individual geopolitical differences.
Looking Ahead
India’s BRICS Chairship provides an opportunity to strengthen a partnership based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, practical cooperation and shared prosperity.
India’s contribution is rooted in its distinctive identity: an ancient civilisation, a vibrant democracy, a rapidly developing economy and a society with remarkable cultural diversity.
As BRICS moves into its third decade, India can help shape an organisation that is more connected to the needs of developing economies and more focused on practical outcomes.
The significance of India’s role is therefore not simply that it is hosting meetings or chairing a major international grouping.
It is that India is demonstrating how economic ambition can coexist with cultural confidence, democratic values with diversity, and national interests with international cooperation.
The world is changing, and BRICS is changing with it.
India’s vision offers a constructive path forward—one based not on confrontation, but on dialogue; not on division, but on partnership; and not merely on growth, but on shared and sustainable prosperity.
A confident India can contribute to a stronger BRICS, and a stronger BRICS can contribute to a more balanced, peaceful and prosperous global community.
?? India’s strength lies not only in its size, but in its ability to build bridges.
India assumed the BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026, and the year also marks two decades since the establishment of BRICS. It is therefore an appropriate moment to reflect on the evolution of the grouping and its future role in an increasingly interconnected world.
India’s Chairship: From Dialogue to Practical Cooperation
Under India’s Chairship, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across more than 25 cities. These initiatives have advanced cooperation across the three principal pillars of BRICS: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The breadth of these engagements reflects India’s commitment to making BRICS more practical, inclusive and development-oriented.
By bringing discussions beyond traditional diplomatic settings and encouraging business-to-business and people-to-people engagement, India has sought to strengthen the foundations of long-term cooperation among BRICS members.
India’s Civilisational and Democratic Contribution
India brings a distinctive combination of civilisational heritage, cultural diversity, democratic institutions and economic dynamism to BRICS.
As the world’s largest democracy, India demonstrates that diversity can coexist with national unity and economic ambition. Its traditions, languages, communities and cultural expressions form an extraordinary part of its global identity.
At the same time, India is rapidly expanding its capabilities in technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, financial technology, space exploration and entrepreneurship.
For BRICS partners, India therefore represents not only a large and growing market, but also a source of innovation, talent, investment and new economic opportunities.
Strengthening Economic Partnerships
The future of BRICS will depend substantially on its ability to translate economic potential into tangible benefits for businesses and citizens.
The discussions among BRICS Finance Ministers and central bank governors on more efficient cross-border payment mechanisms are particularly relevant. Making international payments faster, more affordable, accessible, transparent and secure can facilitate trade and investment while supporting greater economic connectivity.
Improving interoperability between payment and messaging systems and exploring appropriate mechanisms for local-currency settlements can further strengthen cooperation, while respecting the individual priorities of BRICS members.
India’s experience in digital financial infrastructure and innovation can make an important contribution to this process.
Peace, Security and the Fight Against Terrorism
India also brings valuable experience to discussions on international peace and security.
India has faced serious security challenges, including terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. The tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025 by Pakistani sponsered terrorists, in which innocent tourists lost their lives, underlined the devastating human consequences of terrorism.
India has consistently emphasised the importance of international cooperation against terrorism in all its forms, including preventing terrorist financing, recruitment and radicalisation.
At the same time, India’s broader approach remains focused on peace, stability, development and opportunity.
Jammu & Kashmir’s progress in tourism, infrastructure, education, sports and entrepreneurship demonstrates the importance of creating an environment in which young people can pursue their aspirations through peaceful and productive means.
The international community has a shared interest in ensuring that development and peace prevail over violence and extremism.
Diplomacy and Strategic Autonomy
India’s international engagement is characterised by dialogue and strategic autonomy.
New Delhi maintains constructive relationships with a wide range of countries and regional groupings, including Russia, the United States, Europe, Iran, the Gulf countries and partners across Africa and Asia.
This approach enables India to engage with different perspectives while remaining focused on its national interests and its broader commitment to international cooperation.
India’s engagement with Russia is one example.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions with President Vladimir Putin on trade, defence, energy, critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation demonstrate the continuing importance of the bilateral relationship.
At the same time, India has consistently encouraged dialogue and diplomacy in addressing international conflicts and has called for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This combination of partnership, dialogue and strategic independence is an important feature of India’s foreign policy.
India and the Wider Region
The participation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the BRICS Summit also reflects the growing importance of India’s engagement with the wider region.
India and Iran have longstanding historical and cultural connections, as well as important interests in trade, connectivity and regional development.
At a time when geopolitical tensions are affecting energy and agricultural supply chains, constructive dialogue among countries can contribute to greater resilience and stability.
India’s approach is centred on engagement, connectivity and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
The Human Dimension of BRICS
BRICS should ultimately be judged not only by diplomatic declarations but also by its contribution to the lives of ordinary people.
Trade, investment and financial cooperation matter because they can create employment and opportunity. Technology matters because it can improve access to healthcare, education and financial services. Cultural exchanges matter because they build understanding between societies.
India’s emphasis on business-to-business and people-to-people engagement therefore has particular significance.
The future of BRICS should be built not only through relations between governments, but also through relationships among businesses, universities, innovators, young people and communities.
India’s Vision for a Cooperative BRICS
BRICS is a diverse grouping. Its members have different political systems, economic priorities and strategic perspectives.
That diversity should be approached not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for dialogue.
India’s strength lies in its ability to engage with different partners while seeking areas of common interest.
A successful BRICS can contribute to economic resilience, sustainable development, technological cooperation, energy security, food security, healthcare, education and international peace.
These are shared objectives that transcend individual geopolitical differences.
Looking Ahead
India’s BRICS Chairship provides an opportunity to strengthen a partnership based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, practical cooperation and shared prosperity.
India’s contribution is rooted in its distinctive identity: an ancient civilisation, a vibrant democracy, a rapidly developing economy and a society with remarkable cultural diversity.
As BRICS moves into its third decade, India can help shape an organisation that is more connected to the needs of developing economies and more focused on practical outcomes.
The significance of India’s role is therefore not simply that it is hosting meetings or chairing a major international grouping.
It is that India is demonstrating how economic ambition can coexist with cultural confidence, democratic values with diversity, and national interests with international cooperation.
The world is changing, and BRICS is changing with it.
India’s vision offers a constructive path forward—one based not on confrontation, but on dialogue; not on division, but on partnership; and not merely on growth, but on shared and sustainable prosperity.
A confident India can contribute to a stronger BRICS, and a stronger BRICS can contribute to a more balanced, peaceful and prosperous global community.
?? India’s strength lies not only in its size, but in its ability to build bridges.
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