The BRICS Summit 2026 will take place in New Delhi on September 12–13, with India placing trade, digitalisation, cross-border payments, artificial intelligence and economic resilience at the centre of its chairship agenda. The 18th BRICS Summit follows the BRICS Business Forum, which brought together business leaders, ministers and representatives from member and partner countries to discuss opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Key Highlights

• BRICS Summit 2026 will focus on trade, AI, payments, supply chains and economic resilience under India’s chairship.
• India, Russia and China are expected to deepen discussions on trade, payments, energy security and cooperation.

India's chairship is focussed on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The four priorities were defined as the focus areas for both governments and businesses in an era of global economies facing geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions and technological changes.

BRICS Business Forum Highlights Trade and Investment

The BRICS Business Forum is the main forum for dialogue with the private sector of the BRICS and takes place before the leaders' summit. The recommendations are part of the discussions concerning intra-BRICS trade and investment, digital economy, MSMEs, cooperation in the field of standards and integration of the value chain.

Jai Shroff, Chair of the BRICS Business Council, emphasized the possibilities of further strengthening economic ties between the member economies. “Resources, technologies and capital in the BRICS countries can be utilized in the manufacturing, projects and businesses of other BRICS countries”, he said.

The forum also highlighted the issues surrounding more easily finding partners, accessing new markets, joining supply chains and translating economic synergies into commercial opportunities for businesses.

S Jaishankar Stresses Economic Resilience

Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed that the global political and economic landscape is experiencing a major transformation; it is volatile and uncertain especially for businesses and economies.

S Jaishankar said that geopolitical challenges, pandemic and climate change have posed new economic issues, while digitalisation and technological advancements have brought new opportunities to grow and be productive.

He underlined the importance of building the capacity of the BRICS economies to withstand external shocks and stay connected and competitive globally. He also called for the availability of reliable logistics, streamlined trade and investment procedures and the establishment of several trade relations and energy systems that are resilient.

Also Read: Trump's 500% Tariff Threat Hits India and China Over Russian Oil

India-Russia Trade and Cross-Border Payments

Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi for bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi. Some of the areas where India-Russia is likely to come into the fore are trade resilience, cross-border payments, and energy security.

An important development is an MoU for the linkage of India's payment system with Russia's payment system. The cooperation is expected to facilitate cross-border payments using national payment systems and help advance the payments portfolio of the BRICS.

India-China Cooperation in Focus

Equally, the focus is being paid to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, especially given that he has visited India for the first time in seven years. During bilateral talks, Chinese PM, Xi and Modi are likely to discuss various matters, such as trade, technology, climate cooperation and border management.

The overall India and China encounter lies in the background of efforts for enhancing bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in areas of trade, green development and energy technology.

BRICS Summit 2026 Agenda: AI, Payments and Trade

The main BRICS Summit 2026 programme will begin on September 12. Key areas on the agenda include: