English Translation of Opening Remarks by the Prime Minister during the 18th BRICS Summit Session: Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening

1. At a Glance

• India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, marking India's fourth BRICS Chairship [2].
• PM Narendra Modi's opening remarks in the session titled "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism" focus on reforming global institutions to reflect 21st-century realities [1].
• Relevant for UPSC as it tests India's role in multilateral diplomacy, BRICS evolution, and India's stance on UN/WTO/MDB reform — a recurring GS-II theme.

2. Why in the News

• India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12–13 September 2026, with PM Modi chairing sessions including the one on inclusive global governance [2].
• The BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition was held alongside the summit on 11–12 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing India's deep-tech innovations [3].

3. Background & Evolution

• BRICS originated as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in 2009; South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.
• India previously chaired BRICS in 2012, 2016, and 2021 (XIII BRICS Summit, New Delhi Declaration) [4]; 2026 marks its fourth Chairship [2].
• BRICS expanded in 2024 to admit new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia invited), broadening its global-governance-reform agenda.
• Prior PM statements at BRICS sessions (e.g., "Reform of Global Governance" at an earlier summit) show continuity of India's push for UNSC, WTO, and Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) reform [1].

4. Core Static Facts

Fact	Detail
Summit	18th BRICS Summit
Host	India, 2026 Presidency
Dates	12–13 September 2026 [2]
Venue	Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi [3]
Chair	PM Narendra Modi
India's BRICS Chairships	2012, 2016, 2021, 2026 (4th) [2]
Associated event	BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition, 11–12 Sept 2026, organised by Ministry of Education [3]
Nodal ministry (Indian side)	Ministry of External Affairs [5]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Geopolitical/Strategic: BRICS as a platform for Global South solidarity and a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions; India balances this with its Quad/US ties.
• Legal/Constitutional: India's push for UNSC reform ties to its long-standing demand for permanent membership; relevant to India's foreign-policy constitutional mandate (Art. 51 DPSP — promotion of international peace).
• Economic: Discussions on reform of WTO and MDBs (World Bank, IMF) affect India's trade and development-finance interests.
• Scientific/Technological: The parallel Bharat Innovates Exposition signals India's push to project deep-tech and innovation diplomacy alongside political summitry [3].
• Administrative: Hosting responsibility spread across MEA (summit) and Ministry of Education (exposition), showing inter-ministerial coordination for mega-events.

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 11–12 September 2026: BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition held at Bharat Mandapam [3].
• 12–13 September 2026: 18th BRICS Summit convened in New Delhi under India's Chairship [2].
• PM Modi delivered opening remarks at the session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism," with English translation released via PIB [S1 excerpt].

7. Prelims Hooks

• The 18th BRICS Summit was held on 12–13 September 2026 in New Delhi [2].
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam [3].
• 2026 is India's fourth BRICS Chairship (after 2012, 2016, 2021).
• BRICS originally stood for Brazil, Russia, India, China (2009); South Africa joined in 2010.
• The XIII BRICS Summit (2021), chaired by India, produced the New Delhi Declaration [4].
• The BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition was organised by the Ministry of Education, not MEA [3].
• The exposition ran 11–12 September 2026, overlapping with the summit dates.
• PM's session was titled "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening [Multilateralism]" [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: "India and its neighbourhood"; "Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests"; "Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate."
• GS-III: Indirect relevance via S&T diplomacy (Bharat Innovates Exposition) and economic cooperation (MDB/WTO reform).
• Possible Mains stems: 1. Examine India's role in advocating reform of global governance institutions through platforms like BRICS. (GS-II, 15 marks) 2. Discuss how BRICS as a grouping has evolved from an economic bloc to a platform for Global South advocacy. (GS-II, 10 marks) 3. India's simultaneous engagement with BRICS and Quad reflects a strategy of multi-alignment. Comment. (GS-II, 15 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• UNSC Reform — directly linked to India's "inclusive global governance" push.
• WTO and MDB Reform — recurring BRICS agenda item affecting India's trade/finance interests.
• New Development Bank (NDB) — BRICS' own MDB, headquartered in Shanghai.
• BRICS Expansion (2024) — new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE; changes bloc's internal dynamics.
• Quad and India's multi-alignment strategy — contrast with BRICS engagement.
• G20 Presidency 2023 (India) — comparative study of India's multilateral hosting record.
• New Delhi Declaration, 2021 (XIII BRICS Summit) — prior India-hosted BRICS outcome document [4].

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing BRICS Chairship years: India has chaired in 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2026 — not just once.
• Mixing up venue (Bharat Mandapam) with earlier India-hosted summits (2016 Goa, 2021 virtual).
• Attributing the Bharat Innovates Exposition to MEA instead of the Ministry of Education [3].
• Confusing this 18th Summit (2026) with the 13th Summit (2021), which produced the New Delhi Declaration [4].
• Assuming BRICS founding year is 2010 (South Africa's entry) instead of 2009 (original BRIC).