Brazil Hands Over BRICS Presidency to India for 2026: Agenda, Priorities, and Global South Leadership
In mid-December 2025, Brazil formally handed over the rotating BRICS presidency to India at the conclusion of the fourth BRICS Sherpas Meeting held in Brasília. The symbolic transfer of leadership — marked by the handover of a sustainably crafted wooden gavel from Brazil’s Sherpa to India’s Sherpa — sets the stage for India’s BRICS presidency in 2026 and highlights the continuity of strategic priorities, including finance, Global South cooperation, institutional reforms and inclusive global governance.
What Is BRICS?
BRICS is a coalition of emerging economies, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which has recently expanded, with countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joining as new members or being invited to join, depending on the finalised accession decisions of the bloc The grouping serves as a platform for political dialogue, economic co-operation and advocacy for Global South interests in the international system.
Brazil’s BRICS Presidency (2025): Focus and Achievements
During its 2025 presidency under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, Brazil emphasised:
- Global health co-operation and health system strengthening
- Climate finance and climate action frameworks
- Trade, investment and inclusive industry initiatives
- Governance of artificial intelligence in a culturally inclusive context
- Multilateralism and institutional development
The presidency oversaw the signing of the Rio Summit declaration, advanced new cooperation mechanisms across key global issues, and highlighted programmes aimed at poverty eradication and sustainable development.
India’s BRICS Presidency (2026): Agenda and Priorities
India formally assumed the presidency from January 1, 2026, and will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. New Delhi’s priorities are expected to build on Brazil’s achievements, while also bringing a distinct focus shaped by India’s global outlook. The key components include:
1. Resilience
India plans to promote resilience in global economic structures — including mechanisms to withstand trade shocks, supply chain disruptions and external financial pressures.
2. Innovation
A priority area for India will be technology and digital cooperation, including equitable access to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence.
3. Co-operation
Strengthening intra-BRICS dialogue on political, economic and security issues, with a continued emphasis on reforming global governance institutions such as the United Nations, IMF and World Bank to better reflect the voice of emerging economies.
4. Sustainability
India is expected to advance climate action, disaster risk reduction and support for sustainable development goals (SDGs) — consistent with international commitments under COP30 and future climate forums.
Emphasis on the Global South and Institutional Reform
Under its chairship, India is poised to emphasise the Global South agenda, pushing for deeper collaboration on economic and financial issues:
- Reform of multilateral financial institutions to ensure equitable representation
- Enhanced cooperation for climate finance, trade and investment
- Continued focus on WTO reforms and fair global trade norms
- Support for the development priorities of Global South countries through collaborative mechanisms, such as the New Development Bank, and initiatives that mobilize climate finance and resilient infrastructure funding.
Strategic Implications for International Relations
India’s leadership of BRICS in 2026 comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics. With an expanded membership and rising calls for a more balanced global order, the BRICS presidency offers India an opportunity to:
- Champion multipolar cooperation
- Assert collective solutions to global challenges
- Elevate the voice of developing countries in international decision-making forums
- Reinforce India’s role as a key player in South–South diplomacy
India’s presidency will also serve as a continuity mechanism — building upon Brazil’s focus on sustainability and inclusive governance while emphasising India’s longstanding diplomatic priorities around development, technology and institutional reform.
UPSC Relevance
This development is highly pertinent for UPSC aspirants, particularly in:
- GS Paper II: International relations, foreign policy, multilateralism
- GS Paper III: Global economic governance, international finance and trade
- Essay / Interview: Emerging powers, Global South cooperation, reform of global institutions
Understanding the BRICS presidency transition, its priorities and its implications for global governance is essential for comprehensively addressing questions on India’s role in global affairs.
Conclusion
The handover of the BRICS presidency from Brazil to India highlights a strategic continuity in advancing cooperation among emerging economies. Under India’s stewardship in 2026, the bloc is expected to push further on issues of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability — while amplifying the Global South’s voice in global governance reforms. This represents a key development in contemporary global diplomacy and underscores India’s growing influence on the world stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What does BRICS presidency mean?
The BRICS presidency is a rotational leadership role held annually by one member country, responsible for setting the agenda, hosting meetings, and leading cooperation among BRICS nations.
Q2. Which country will hold BRICS presidency in 2026?
India will hold the BRICS presidency in 2026, after Brazil handed over the role at the end of its 2025 presidency.
Q3. What are India’s key priorities during BRICS 2026 presidency?
India is expected to focus on:
- Financial cooperation and development finance
- Global South leadership
- Reform of global institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO)
- Digital Public Infrastructure and innovation
- Sustainable and inclusive growth
Q4. Why is India’s BRICS presidency important?
India’s presidency comes at a time of expanded BRICS membership and growing Global South assertion, giving India a major platform to shape global governance reforms.
Q5. How is this topic relevant for UPSC?
This is a high-value current affairs topic for:
- GS Paper II (International Relations, multilateral groupings)
- GS Paper III (Global economic governance)
- Essay and Interview (Global South, multipolar world)
