International RelationsImportant2026-01-13

India Assumes 2026 BRICS Presidency

Q: Which of the following statements about the BRICS grouping is/are correct? 1. The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS states during the 2014 Fortaleza Summit. 2. India's official theme for its 2026 BRICS Presidency is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.

C) Both 1 and 2 — Statement 1 is correct; the agreement to establish the NDB was signed during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza in 2014. Statement 2 is also correct; this is the official theme unveiled by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for India's 2026 term.

Why focus: Major geopolitical hosting—GS2 IR. Tests 'Match-the-Following' on recent BRICS expansions and thematic pillars of India's presidency.

In News

What Happened

On January 13, 2026, India formally took over the BRICS Presidency for the year. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the official logo, website, and theme to mark the occasion. The chosen theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', which sets the agenda for the expanded multilateral grouping.

Why It Matters

This presidency allows India to position itself as the primary voice of the Global South within an expanded BRICS framework. It provides a strategic platform for India to balance Western-dominated forums while advancing issues like supply chain resilience, alternative trade mechanisms, and multilateral institutional reform.

Background

History & Context

The BRIC grouping held its first formal summit in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and became BRICS with South Africa's addition in 2010. The group successfully established the New Development Bank (NDB) during the 2014 Fortaleza Summit to fund infrastructure projects. In 2024, the group underwent a historic expansion to include nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. India's 2026 presidency follows Brazil's term in 2025, operating under the established rotating chairmanship mechanism.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Brazil held the BRICS presidency in 2025. NOW: India holds the 2026 presidency with a new theme focused on resilience, innovation, and sustainability.
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BEFORE: Earlier Indian presidencies (such as in 2021) managed consensus within a five-member grouping. NOW: India leads an expanded 'BRICS Plus' framework featuring new member states from the Middle East and Africa.
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BEFORE: Previous economic discussions primarily centered around the capitalization and initial project funding for the New Development Bank. NOW: The agenda has broadened to include concrete de-dollarisation initiatives and building alternative financial payment systems for cross-border trade in local currencies.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly relates to Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 - 'Alternative Centres of Power'. It demonstrates how BRICS functions as a non-Western multilateral forum that challenges traditional geopolitical power structures and attempts to create alternative economic pathways.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements about the BRICS grouping is/are correct? 1. The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS states during the 2014 Fortaleza Summit. 2. India's official theme for its 2026 BRICS Presidency is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.

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