PM Modi announced India will give a "new form" to BRICS in 2026, redefining it as "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability." Emphasizing a "humanity first" approach, similar to G-20, India will focus on global cooperation for common challenges, including AI governance, and strengthen bilateral ties during its presidency.
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Prime Minister Modi announced India's plan to give BRICS a "new form" in 2026, focusing on "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability" and Global South issues.
A British economist (Jim O'Neill ) first used the term "BRIC" in 2001 to describe the rapidly growing economies; Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The group officially started working together in 2006 and held its first summit in Russia in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, completing the initial "BRICS." In 2024, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Ethiopia joined the group while Indonesia joined in 2025.
At the 2025 Summit in Brazil, the group welcomed 11 new "partner countries": Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
BRICS now represents about 45% of the global population and contributes 35% to the world's total economic output (GDP), making it a powerful force that surpasses the economic size of groups like the EU or G7.
The leaders signed the "Rio de Janeiro Declaration" which highlights a shift towards greater inclusivity and cooperation among developing nations.
Reaffirming Core Values => The leaders emphasized mutual respect, sovereign equality, democracy, and inclusiveness in their global interactions.
Strengthening Cooperation Pillars => They committed to promote cooperation across three main areas: political and security issues, economic and financial matters, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Addressing Global Challenges => BRICS launched several important initiatives, such as a "Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance" to help developing countries fund climate action, a "Statement on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)" to guide responsible AI use, and a "Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases" (like tuberculosis) to improve global health equity.
Reforming Global Governance => BRICS strongly supported reforming international organizations like the United Nations Security Council, the IMF, and the World Bank to give more voice to developing countries.
BRICS is seen as a counterbalance to traditional Western-dominated groups like the G7.
Boosting Energy Security => With new members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, BRICS now controls about 44% of global crude oil production.
Providing Neutral Dialogue Space => BRICS offers a non-Western platform for countries to resolve tensions.
Driving Global Institutional Reform => The group provides a collective voice to push for reforms in the UN Security Council, WTO, IMF, and World Bank, demanding that these institutions better reflect today's global realities.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Examine the challenges India might face from other member states, particularly China, in its efforts to reshape BRICS into a more equitable and effective multilateral platform. 250 words |
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