Harnessing BRICS ‘POWER’ to empower the world

1. At a Glance

• BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE) is a grouping of major emerging economies representing the Global South; India holds the 2026 chairmanship [1].
• The 18th BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, hosted by PM Narendra Modi [3].
• China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, frames China's support via the acronym "POWER" — an articulation of five principles for BRICS cooperation to "empower the world" [3].
• Relevant for GS-II (International Relations/groupings) and current-affairs-heavy Prelims questions on summit venues, themes, and members.

2. Why in the News

• The 18th BRICS Summit convenes in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, under India's chairmanship [3].
• Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong published an op-ed (The Hindu BusinessLine, 7 September 2026) extending China's "full support" to India's presidency and outlining a five-point "POWER" framework — starting with "P for Principle" — invoking the UN Charter, sovereign equality, non-interference, and peaceful dispute settlement amid rising "hegemonism and power politics" [3].
• India's chairmanship theme is "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," unveiled by EAM S. Jaishankar on 13 January 2026 [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• BRICS originated as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China), a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001; South Africa joined in 2010, forming BRICS.
• First BRIC leaders' summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2009.
• BRICS expanded in 2024 to admit Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE, alongside founding members [1].
• India previously chaired BRICS in 2021 (13th Summit, virtual, hosted by PM Modi) [1].
• Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit (2025); India assumed the chairmanship on 1 January 2026, succeeding Brazil [1].
• The New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS in 2014/2015, remains a key institutional pillar alongside intra-BRICS trade cooperation [2].

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic

• BRICS is positioned by member states as a counterweight to Western-dominated multilateral institutions, championing "multipolarity" [3].
• China's op-ed explicitly invokes UN Charter principles — sovereign equality, non-interference, peaceful dispute settlement — as a rebuke of "hegemonism and power politics" [3].
• India's chairmanship must balance divergent member interests (e.g., India-China rivalry, Iran/Russia sanctions posture, UAE-Egypt Middle East dynamics).

Economic

• Focus areas include intra-BRICS trade and the role of the New Development Bank as an alternative development-financing channel [2].
• Expansion to energy-rich and strategically located members (Iran, UAE, Indonesia) diversifies BRICS's economic weight and trade routes.

Historical

• Traces evolution from a Goldman Sachs analytical acronym (2001) to a formal institutionalized grouping with its own bank and expanding membership (2024 enlargement).

Administrative

• Chairmanship rotates annually among members; India's 2026 stewardship follows its 2021 chairmanship, showing a roughly five-year rotation cycle among original members.

Ethical / Governance

• China's "Principle" formulation appeals to non-interference and equality, but critics note tension between BRICS rhetoric and actual conduct of some members (e.g., Russia-Ukraine, China's regional assertiveness) — a common Mains angle on gap between stated principles and practice.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 13 January 2026: India unveils BRICS 2026 chairmanship logo and theme [2].
• 14-15 May 2026: BRICS Foreign Ministers meet in New Delhi ahead of the leaders' summit [1].
• June 2026: Chinese FM Wang Yi visits India for the BRICS National Security Advisors meeting [2].
• 1-3 September 2026: 18th Meeting of Heads of IP Offices of BRICS countries held in New Delhi [1].
• 7 September 2026: Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong publishes "POWER" framework op-ed in The Hindu BusinessLine ahead of the summit [3].
• 12-13 September 2026: 18th BRICS Summit convenes in New Delhi [3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• BRICS originally stood for BRIC, a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001.
• First BRIC summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2009; South Africa joined in 2010.
• BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and UAE — making it a 10-member (BRICS+) grouping.
• The 18th BRICS Summit is hosted by India in New Delhi, September 12-13, 2026.
• India's 2026 BRICS chairmanship theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".
• India previously chaired BRICS in 2021 (13th Summit).
• The 17th BRICS Summit (2025) was hosted by Brazil.
• India assumed the 2026 BRICS chair on 1 January 2026.
• BRICS's key financial institution is the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai.
• Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong authored the "POWER" op-ed framing BRICS cooperation via five principles, the first being "P for Principle".
• BRICS Foreign Ministers met in Delhi on 14-15 May 2026 ahead of the leaders' summit.
• The 18th Meeting of Heads of IP Offices of BRICS Countries was held in New Delhi, 1-3 September 2026.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II — International Relations: "Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate"; India's bilateral/multilateral groupings.
• GS-III — Economy: intra-BRICS trade, alternative financial architecture (NDB), Global South cooperation.
• Possible question stems: 1. Discuss how BRICS expansion since 2024 has altered its geopolitical and economic weight. Does it represent a genuine alternative to Western-led multilateralism? 2. Critically examine India's priorities as BRICS Chair in 2026 in the context of intra-group divergences among member states. 3. 'BRICS speaks the language of sovereign equality but its practice often diverges.' Comment with examples.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• New Development Bank (NDB) — BRICS's core financial institution; often tested alongside AIIB for comparison.
• G20 and India's G20 Presidency (2023) — comparative multilateral forum leadership.
• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) — historical precedent for Global South solidarity.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — overlapping membership (Russia, China, India, Iran) and comparative mandate.
• UN Security Council reform — BRICS members' (India, Brazil) push for permanent seats.
• India-China bilateral relations — relevant given China's active diplomatic outreach ahead of the summit.
• Global Development Initiative / Global Security Initiative (China) — referenced by Xi Jinping as complementary frameworks.
• De-dollarisation debate — recurring BRICS economic agenda item relevant to GS-III.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Do not confuse BRICS chairmanship rotation with permanent headquarters — BRICS has no fixed secretariat; the NDB is headquartered in Shanghai, but that is distinct from summit hosting.
• Do not conflate the 2024 expansion (Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE) with founding membership — aspirants often misstate founding members as six.
• Avoid confusing India's 2021 chairmanship (13th Summit, virtual) with the 2026 chairmanship (18th Summit, in-person, New Delhi).
• Note Saudi Arabia was invited to join in 2024 but has not formally confirmed accession — do not list it as a confirmed BRICS member.
• Distinguish BRICS (economic/political grouping) from SCO (security-oriented, different mandate) despite overlapping membership.