Text of Prime Minister's opening address during the 18th BRICS Summit session: "Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Development"

1. At a Glance

• The 18th BRICS Summit was hosted by India in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, under India's BRICS Chairship — India's fourth time chairing the grouping [1].
• Summit theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" (also phrased as PM's opening address title) [1].
• PM Modi chaired the session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism" at Bharat Mandapam [2].
• Relevant for Prelims (summit facts, members, venue) and Mains GS-II (India's multilateral diplomacy, global governance reform).

2. Why in the News

• India assumed BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026, succeeding Brazil (host of the 17th Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 6–7 July 2025) [1].
• The 18th Summit itself (12–13 September 2026, New Delhi) is the triggering event; PM Modi's opening address and the resultant "BRICS New Delhi Declaration" were issued during the summit [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• BRICS originated as "BRIC" (Brazil, Russia, India, China) — a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001; first formal summit held in 2009 (Yekaterinburg, Russia).
• South Africa joined in 2011, making it BRICS.
• Expansion in 2024 added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (and initially Saudi Arabia, whose accession remains under consideration) — current full membership includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE [1].
• Indonesia joined as a full member in 2025.
• 17th Summit: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 6–7 July 2025 [1].
• 18th Summit: New Delhi, India, 12–13 September 2026 — India's fourth BRICS Chairship [1].

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic

• PM proposed BRICS nations jointly draft 10 proposals for global governance reform, targeting a BRICS reform roadmap by the next summit [1].
• Reinforces India's positioning as a voice for the Global South, with PM stating the "Global South must become a rule-shaper" [1].
• Bilateral sideline engagements occurred (e.g., PM Modi–Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim talks on the margins).

Economic

• Continued emphasis on BRICS cooperation on trade, digital economy, and local-currency settlement mechanisms (consistent with prior summits' New Development Bank agenda).

Social / Governance

• India's Chairship framed as "people-centric" and "Humanity First", emphasizing connecting BRICS cooperation to ordinary citizens rather than purely elite-level diplomacy [1].
• Emphasis on inclusive multilateral governance reform (UN Security Council-style reform themes implicit in "Inclusive Global Governance" session title) [2].

Environmental / Sustainability

• "Sustainability" as one of four pillars of the summit theme — linked to clean energy initiatives and early warning systems for disasters, per PM's remarks.

Administrative

• Coordination across ~30 host cities for preparatory meetings under India's Chairship reflects a "Whole of Government" and federal outreach approach [1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 1 January 2026: India formally begins its BRICS Chairship.
• Throughout 2026: Over 350 BRICS-related meetings held across India ahead of the summit.
• 12 September 2026: PM Modi's opening address at the 18th BRICS Summit, session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism," Bharat Mandapam [2].
• 12–13 September 2026: Adoption of the "BRICS New Delhi Declaration: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" [1].
• Preceding context: 17th BRICS Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 6–7 July 2025, under Brazil's Chairship.

7. Prelims Hooks

• 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, 12–13 September 2026.
• Summit venue: Bharat Mandapam.
• India's BRICS Chairship 2026 is its fourth Chairship.
• Summit theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• Outcome document: "BRICS New Delhi Declaration."
• PM chaired session titled "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism."
• 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6–7 July 2025).
• BRICS originally stood for Brazil, Russia, India, China; South Africa added in 2011.
• New members added in 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE; Indonesia joined 2025.
• PM proposed 10 governance-reform proposals to develop a BRICS reform roadmap.
• India's Chairship theme emphasized a "people-centric"/"Humanity First" approach.
• Nodal ministry for India's BRICS engagement: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Over 350 meetings across roughly 30 Indian cities were organised under India's 2026 Chairship.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: International Relations — "India and its neighbourhood," "Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India"; global governance reform, multilateralism.
• GS-III: Not primary, but touches economic cooperation/trade aspects of BRICS.
• Possible Mains stems: 1. Discuss the significance of India's Chairship of BRICS in 2026 for reshaping global governance architecture. (GS-II, 15 marks) 2. BRICS has evolved from an economic grouping to a platform for Global South advocacy. Critically examine. (GS-II, 10 marks) 3. Evaluate the challenges and opportunities in achieving consensus among an expanded BRICS membership on global governance reform. (GS-II, 15 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• New Development Bank (NDB) — BRICS' financial institution, alternative to World Bank/IMF.
• BRICS Pay / local currency settlement — de-dollarisation debates.
• G20 and India's G20 Presidency (2023) — comparative multilateral leadership role.
• UN Security Council reform — links to "inclusive global governance" push.
• Global South Summit (Voice of Global South Summit) — India's parallel Global South diplomacy platform.
• SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) — overlapping membership (Russia, China, India), comparative grouping.
• India's Act East and multi-alignment foreign policy — broader strategic context.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing 17th Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 2025) with the 18th Summit (New Delhi, 2026) — dates and hosts are frequently mixed up.
• Assuming BRICS still has only 5 members — it now has 10 full members after 2024/2025 expansions.
• Misattributing the summit's nodal coordinating ministry — it is MEA, not NITI Aayog or Commerce Ministry.
• Confusing the summit theme ("Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, Sustainability") with the outcome document name ("New Delhi Declaration").
• Assuming Saudi Arabia is a confirmed full member — its accession status remains ambiguous/pending, unlike Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.