BRICS gives India’s balancing power a boost
2-minute summary
The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted in New Delhi in September 2026, has been hailed as a major diplomatic success for India. The summit culminated in the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which emphasized global governance reforms, enhanced trade cooperation, and multilateral dialogue. Amidst rising geopolitical polarization, India successfully leveraged its position to act as a crucial diplomatic bridge between competing global blocs (such as the West and the China-Russia axis). By facilitating dialogue among rival nations and championing the interests of the Global South, India reinforced its strategic autonomy and its role as an indispensable balancing power in the emerging multipolar world order.
Why it's in the news
India successfully hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September 2026. The event highlighted India's growing diplomatic clout as a bridge-builder and balancing power capable of forging consensus on global governance reforms amidst deep international divisions.
Background and context
BRICS began as an informal economic grouping (BRIC) following a 2001 Goldman Sachs paper, holding its first formal summit in 2009. South Africa's induction in 2010 transformed it into BRICS. Designed to represent the interests of major emerging economies, the group has consistently challenged the post-WWII Western-dominated financial and political architecture. In recent years, BRICS has undergone historic expansion, officially welcoming countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE into its fold on January 1, 2024. India's participation in BRICS is a cornerstone of its multi-aligned foreign policy, allowing New Delhi to engage with non-Western powers and lead the Global South while simultaneously maintaining robust strategic partnerships with Western nations through platforms like the Quad.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51 — Part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), it directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law.
International organisations
- BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE) — A premier intergovernmental platform representing major emerging economies and the Global South, aiming to reform global governance and promote alternative financial architectures.
- New Development Bank (NDB) — Established by BRICS during the 2014 Fortaleza Summit to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Prelims GS-1 2016 — Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Mains practice: Analyze how India can leverage its position within the BRICS grouping to push for reforms in global governance while maintaining its strategic autonomy.
India's hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi underscores its unique position as a diplomatic bridge-builder in a highly polarized world. By actively engaging with BRICS, India can advance its global reform agenda without compromising its strategic partnerships with Western nations.
India can leverage its position within BRICS through several key strategies:
• **Advocating for Multilateral Reforms**: India can use the collective weight of BRICS to demand structural reforms in legacy institutions like the UN Security Council (UNSC), IMF, and World Bank, ensuring they reflect contemporary geopolitical and economic realities.
• **Strengthening Alternative Financial Architectures**: Through the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), India can promote financial resilience and reduce the Global South's vulnerability to unilateral Western sanctions and dollar-dominated volatility.
• **Championing the Global South**: As a founding member, India can steer the expanded BRICS+ agenda toward developmental priorities, such as climate finance, technology transfer, digital public infrastructure (DPI), and food security.
• **Mitigating Bilateral Friction**: BRICS provides a vital multilateral forum for India to engage with strategic competitors like China, helping to manage border tensions and maintain economic dialogue outside bilateral constraints.
• **Operationalizing Multi-Alignment**: By balancing its participation in Western-aligned groupings (like the Quad and G7 invitee status) with non-Western platforms (like BRICS and SCO), India prevents any single bloc from dictating its national interests, thereby preserving its strategic autonomy.
In conclusion, India's active role in BRICS demonstrates that pursuing national interest does not require choosing sides. By leading global governance reforms from within BRICS, India solidifies its status as an indispensable global consensus-builder.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the BRICS grouping, consider the following statements: 1. The New Development Bank (NDB) was established during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. 2. All founding member countries of BRICS hold equal voting shares in the New Development Bank, and no member holds veto power. 3. The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework designed to provide short-term liquidity support during balance of payments crises. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. All three statements are correct. The NDB and CRA were established by the Fortaleza Declaration at the 6th BRICS Summit in 2014. Unlike the World Bank or IMF, NDB founding members have equal voting power, and no country has veto power. The CRA acts as a financial safety net to mitigate global liquidity pressures.
Q2. Which of the following sets of countries officially became members of the expanded BRICS grouping with effect from January 1, 2024?
- Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam
- Brazil, Russia, India, and China
- Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia
- Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates
Answer: D. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates officially joined the BRICS grouping on January 1, 2024. Argentina was invited but declined the invitation under its new administration.
Q3. The 'New Delhi Declaration', recently seen in the news in late 2026, is primarily associated with which of the following international summits?
- The SCO Council of Heads of State
- The G20 Leaders' Summit
- The 18th BRICS Summit
- The UNFCCC COP29
Answer: C. The 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India in New Delhi in September 2026 culminated in the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which focused on global governance reforms, trade cooperation, and multilateral dialogue.
Revision flashcards
- Where is the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB) located (as of September 2026)? Shanghai, China.
- Which BRICS Summit led to the signing of the treaty establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) (as of September 2026)? The 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (2014).
- What is the voting structure of the New Development Bank (NDB) for its founding members (as of September 2026)? Equal voting power; no member has veto power (unlike the IMF or World Bank).
- Which constitutional article of India directs the state to promote international peace and security? Article 51 (Directive Principles of State Policy).
- Which country hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026? India (in New Delhi).