BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting Opens in New Delhi: A Platform for Multipolar Cooperation

India has commenced the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, under its 2026 chairship of the expanded grouping. Chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the gathering brings together senior diplomats from BRICS member countries and partner nations to discuss global and regional challenges while advancing shared goals of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.

The meeting features a symbolic family photo showcasing unity among participants, including Russia's Sergey Lavrov, Iran's Abbas Araghchi, Indonesia's Sugiono, South Africa's Ronald Lamola, and representatives from Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and others. China is represented by Ambassador Xu Feihong. Warm bilateral exchanges, such as handshakes between Jaishankar and both Lavrov and Araghchi, highlighted the collaborative spirit on the sidelines.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joins Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and other senior leaders for a family photo (Photo/ANI)

India's Leadership in BRICS 2026

As the current chair, India has organised numerous meetings throughout the year and is steering discussions toward practical outcomes ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit later in 2026. The theme for the chairship — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability” — guides the deliberations. Foreign ministers and heads of delegations are also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit.

This gathering holds special significance as one of the first major ministerial events following the bloc's expansion. It provides an opportunity for members to strengthen economic ties, promote local currency trade, advance digital public infrastructure, and address climate and development priorities.

Key Issues on the Agenda

Participants are exchanging views on a wide range of global and regional matters, including multilateral reforms, economic cooperation, energy security, and international peace and stability. The discussions take place against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical shifts, with particular attention to developments in West Asia and their implications for global energy markets and trade routes.

BRICS nations continue to emphasise the need for a more inclusive and representative global governance architecture, including reforms in institutions such as the United Nations. The expanded membership allows for broader representation of the Global South, enabling richer perspectives on challenges like sustainable development and technological innovation.

Expanded Membership and Global Relevance

The current BRICS family includes ten full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. Ten partner countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam — further enhance the bloc's diversity and outreach.

This broader composition strengthens BRICS as a vital forum for emerging economies seeking greater voice in world affairs. The Delhi meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced coordination in trade, technology, and development initiatives.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s hosting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi underscores its growing diplomatic influence and leadership within an expanded global coalition that increasingly represents the aspirations of the Global South. By setting the agenda around resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, India is positioning BRICS as more than a political forum—it is shaping it into a practical platform for economic collaboration, institutional reform, and coordinated responses to evolving global challenges. The presence of both longstanding members and newer entrants highlights the bloc’s expanding relevance in a rapidly shifting international order.

The discussions in New Delhi also reflect the broader momentum toward a more multipolar world, where emerging economies seek stronger representation in global decision-making. With priorities such as local currency trade, digital infrastructure, energy security, and sustainable development at the forefront, the meeting reinforces BRICS’ ambition to create alternative pathways for growth and cooperation. India’s stewardship of the grouping in 2026 is helping drive that transformation, while strengthening its own role as a key bridge between developed and developing nations.

(Sources: The Hindu BusinessLine, ANI News)