Prime Minister chaired the BRICS session on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism” (September 12, 2026)

1. At a Glance

• India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under India's BRICS Chairship (assumed 1 January 2026) [1][2].
• Prime Minister chaired the BRICS session titled "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism" on 12 September 2026 [2].
• India's Chairship theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" — reflects a people-centric, "humanity-first" approach articulated by PM at the 2025 Rio Summit [2].
• Relevant for UPSC as a live example of India's multilateral leadership, Global South advocacy, and reform-of-global-governance discourse (GS-II).

2. Why in the News

• India hosted its fourth BRICS Chairship in 2026, culminating in the 18th Summit at New Delhi (12–13 September 2026); PM chaired the dedicated session on inclusive global governance and multilateralism on Day 1 [1][2].

3. Background & Evolution

• BRICS originated as "BRIC" (Brazil, Russia, India, China) — term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill (2001); South Africa joined in 2011, forming BRICS.
• Grouping expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (and Saudi Arabia invited); Indonesia joined subsequently — current membership per PIB: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, UAE [2].
• India previously chaired BRICS for the 13th Summit (2021) [3] and hosted associated working-group meetings across 2026 (Trade Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur, IP Offices meeting, Health Working Group meeting, Standards Bodies meet in Bengaluru, Culture Working Group meeting) as part of its 2026 Chairship [1][4][5][6].
• Brazil hosted the preceding 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro (2025), where PM articulated the "humanity-first" approach later adopted as India's Chairship theme [2].
• India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship on 1 January 2026 [2].

4. Core Static Facts

Item	Detail
Summit edition	18th BRICS Summit
Dates	12–13 September 2026
Venue	Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Host/Chair 2026	India
Chairship theme	"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"
Session in focus	"Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism" (chaired by PM, 12 Sept 2026) [2]
Member states	Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE [2]
Associated event	BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition, 11–12 September 2026, Bharat Mandapam [1]
Nodal coordination	Ministry of External Affairs (BRICS Chairship secretariat function)

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic

• Session theme signals India's push for reformed multilateralism — a long-standing plank (UNSC reform, WTO reform) now reiterated at BRICS.
• Positions India as a bridge between developed and developing blocs (Global South advocacy) amid expanded, more diverse BRICS membership (10 states) [2].

Economic

• Prior 2026 Chairship events (Jaipur Trade Ministers' Meeting) indicate trade/economic cooperation agenda alongside governance reform [4].

Administrative/Governance

• Larger membership (post-2024 expansion) raises coordination and consensus-building challenges — "inclusive governance" framing directly addresses this.

Ethical/Governance

• "Inclusive" global governance implicitly critiques underrepresentation of Global South in Bretton Woods institutions (IMF, World Bank) and UNSC.

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 1 January 2026: India assumes BRICS Chairship [2].
• 2026 (through the year): Series of working-group meetings under India's Chairship — Health Working Group (New Delhi) [5], Standards Bodies meet (Bengaluru) [6], Culture Working Group (June 2026) [7], 16th Trade Ministers' Meeting (Jaipur) [4], 18th IP Offices Heads meeting (New Delhi) [8].
• 11–12 September 2026: BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition held at Bharat Mandapam [1].
• 12–13 September 2026: 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi; PM chaired session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism" on 12 September [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• 18th BRICS Summit held on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• India assumed BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026.
• BRICS session chaired by PM on 12 Sept 2026: "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism."
• Current BRICS membership (10): Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE.
• 2026 marks India's fourth BRICS Chairship overall (earlier: 13th Summit, 2021).
• Preceding summit: 17th BRICS Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2025).
• "BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition" held 11–12 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
• 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Jaipur under India's 2026 Chairship.
• Term "BRIC" originally coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill (2001); South Africa added in 2011.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: International Relations — "Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests"; "Important International institutions, agencies and fora — their structure, mandate."
• Possible question stems: 1. Discuss the relevance of BRICS in advancing the discourse on reformed multilateralism. Examine India's role as BRICS Chair in 2026. (GS-II, 15 marks) 2. Global governance institutions remain unrepresentative of contemporary geopolitical realities. Critically examine with reference to BRICS's advocacy for inclusive governance. (GS-II, 15 marks) 3. How does an expanded BRICS (post-2024) alter India's balancing strategy between the Global North and Global South? (GS-II, 10 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• UNSC Reform — core plank of "inclusive global governance" India pushes at every multilateral forum.
• G20 (India's 2023 Presidency) — comparative template of India's multilateral chairship diplomacy.
• New Development Bank (NDB) — BRICS's own financial institution, alternative to IMF/World Bank.
• Global South Summit (Voice of Global South Summit) — India's parallel initiative amplifying developing-country concerns.
• WTO reform debates — economic dimension of "strengthening multilateralism."
• SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) — another India-Russia-China multilateral grouping for comparison.
• De-dollarisation debate in BRICS — recurring economic/strategic sub-theme at BRICS summits.
• India's Neighbourhood First & Act East policies — contrast bilateral vs plurilateral strategic tools.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Do not confuse BRICS Chairship year (2026) with an earlier chairship — India also chaired for the 13th Summit (2021); this is the fourth, not first, Indian Chairship.
• Do not confuse the session title ("Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism") with the overall Chairship theme ("Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability") — these are distinct.
• Do not miscount membership — post-2024 expansion means BRICS is no longer just 5 members; verify current list (10 members as of 2026, note Saudi Arabia's status remains ambiguous/not confirmed as full member in this source set).
• Venue is Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi — do not confuse with G20 2023 venue (same location, different summit).
• Nodal ministry for BRICS coordination is MEA, not commerce or external affairs subsidiary bodies handling individual working groups.