India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026. The grouping now has 11 members and represents a large share of the world's population, economic output and trade. India assumed the chairship on January 1 and has used the year to hold hundreds of meetings across multiple sectors.

Some of the most important BRICS cooperation is happening outside headline diplomacy. India has promoted cooperation around startups, science, research, incubators and innovation, with the aim of connecting talent, capital and markets across emerging economies.