The upcoming 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi presents a critical juncture for India to steer the expanded bloc away from Chinese dominance and prevent it from becoming a purely anti-West alliance.

  • The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12-13, 2026, in New Delhi.
  • India aims to maintain BRICS as a 'non-West' rather than an 'anti-West' entity.
  • Expansion has introduced new members whose bilateral conflicts threaten group stability.

The 18th BRICS Summit, set to convene in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, offers India a monumental opportunity to restore coherence to an increasingly fragmented group. Originally conceived to provide emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—a greater voice in global governance, BRICS is currently at a crossroads between being a constructive multilateral force or a tool for geopolitical rivalry.

The Shift from Reform to Rivalry

While India initially viewed BRICS as a vehicle for genuine reform of international financial institutions, China has increasingly steered the bloc toward its own global ambitions. China’s strategy involves using mechanisms like BRICS-Plus to consolidate influence over the Global South, effectively positioning the group as a second pole in a bipolar world. This has forced India into a dual role: advocating for multilateral reform while simultaneously acting as a counterweight to Chinese grandstanding.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the survival of BRICS as a relevant economic entity depends on its ability to maintain the 'principle of consensus.' If the group shifts toward a majority-rule model similar to the SCO, it risks losing the diplomatic legitimacy that its original members worked hard to build.

India must ensure that BRICS does not descend into the paralysis seen in SAARC due to bilateral disputes.

The expansion of the group to include members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia has tested its structural integrity. While the expansion increases the bloc's footprint, it has also introduced internal frictions. New members often bring bilateral conflicts that threaten to subvert the collective goals of the organization.

Historically, India’s leadership was instrumental in establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). Today, the challenge is much more complex. India is championing a 'people-centric' approach under the pillars of Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability, aiming to keep the group 'non-West' rather than 'anti-West.'

Did You Know?: The first BRICS summit hosted by India in 2012 focused on 'Global Stability, Security and Prosperity.'

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between 'non-West' and 'anti-West'?
A 'non-West' group seeks to represent diverse interests without being defined by opposition, whereas an 'anti-West' group is defined solely by its hostility toward Western nations.

2. How has China influenced BRICS?
China has used the platform to expand its global influence and push for a bipolar world order, often at the expense of the original reformist agenda.