India’s presidency of BRICS in 2026 places the country at a critical juncture in global affairs. As New Delhi prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit, former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has underlined the need for India to act as a mature and seasoned player. In remarks surrounding the BRICS Roundtable discussions, Kant stressed that the grouping’s outcome documents must not project an anti-Western stance. Instead, India should pursue a balanced approach that allows it to engage simultaneously with the United States, Europe and China while safeguarding its national interests and advancing the long-term vision of a developed India by 2047.
Context of India’s BRICS Presidency
India assumed the BRICS chairship with a clear thematic focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. The approach draws from a people-centric outlook that prioritises practical outcomes for developing economies. The summit in New Delhi brings together an expanded membership that now includes eleven countries. This broader composition reflects both the growing influence of emerging markets and the increasing complexity of coordinating positions among members with divergent strategic priorities.
BRICS originated as a platform for major emerging economies seeking greater voice in global institutions. Over time, pressures have mounted from certain members to frame the group more explicitly in opposition to Western-led structures. India’s consistent position has been to keep the forum non-Western rather than anti-Western. This distinction remains central to New Delhi’s diplomacy. Kant’s comments reinforce the view that India must use its presidency to steer the grouping back toward economic cooperation and development priorities rather than geopolitical confrontation.
The Imperative of Strategic Maturity
Acting as a mature player requires careful management of perceptions and substance. An outcome document that appears confrontational toward the West could complicate India’s simultaneous relationships with key partners. The United States and European countries remain important sources of technology, investment and strategic cooperation. At the same time, engagement with China is unavoidable given economic interdependence and shared membership in multiple multilateral forums. Russia continues to be a significant partner in energy and defence.
Kant’s emphasis on multi-alignment reflects India’s established foreign policy practice. Rather than choosing one camp, New Delhi seeks to expand options and reduce vulnerabilities. During the BRICS presidency, this means ensuring that summit language focuses on reforming existing institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, instead of seeking to replace them. The goal is greater representation for the Global South without alienating partners whose cooperation is essential for India’s growth trajectory.
Balancing Interests Across Power Centres
Protecting national interests in a polarised world demands simultaneous engagement. Stronger economic and technological ties with Western countries support India’s manufacturing ambitions, digital transformation and defence modernisation. Constructive management of the relationship with China remains necessary for regional stability and for realising the full potential of BRICS economic initiatives. Cooperation with other members on issues such as development finance, local currency trade, supply chain resilience, food security and energy security offers tangible benefits for Indian industry and consumers.
The expanded membership of BRICS introduces additional complexity. Several newer members maintain balanced relationships with both Western and non-Western partners. India’s presence and leadership help prevent the grouping from drifting toward a more adversarial posture. By emphasising practical deliverables—such as frameworks for logistics cooperation, startup networks, and cross-border payments—India can keep the focus on outcomes that serve developmental goals rather than rhetorical competition.
Linking BRICS Engagement to Viksit Bharat
The vision of a developed India by 2047 requires sustained high growth, technological capability and secure access to global markets and resources. Multilateral platforms like BRICS form one element of a broader strategy that also includes partnerships with Western economies, participation in forums such as the Quad, and deepening ties across the Global South. An anti-Western image for BRICS would constrain rather than expand India’s options.
By maintaining a mature and balanced approach, India can use the presidency to strengthen its credentials as a bridge between different centres of power. This positioning supports domestic priorities ranging from manufacturing and infrastructure to innovation and sustainability. It also reinforces India’s claim to leadership within the Global South without forcing an artificial choice between competing geopolitical blocs.
Challenges and the Path Ahead
Forging consensus among members with differing threat perceptions and economic interests will not be straightforward. Issues related to West Asia, sanctions, and institutional reform require careful drafting that acknowledges national positions while identifying areas of common ground. India’s experience in previous chairships and its successful management of the G20 presidency provide a foundation for navigating these differences.
The ultimate test of the 2026 presidency will lie in the quality of the outcome document and the concrete initiatives that follow. A declaration that advances economic cooperation, institutional reform and Global South priorities while avoiding polarising language would demonstrate the value of India’s moderating influence. Such an approach aligns with the long-term requirement of working productively with the United States, Europe and China in pursuit of national development goals.
India’s BRICS presidency offers an opportunity to reaffirm the original purpose of the grouping as a platform for emerging economies seeking a more representative global order. By acting as a mature and seasoned player, New Delhi can ensure that the forum remains focused on practical cooperation rather than confrontation. This balanced posture is essential not only for the coherence of BRICS but also for India’s ability to protect its interests and advance toward the objective of becoming a developed nation by the middle of the century.
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