India set the agenda for its BRICS presidency at the first Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi, outlining priorities for the 18th Summit and a year-long calendar of engagements.
India’s Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela presented India’s priorities based on a people-centric and humanity-first vision under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The official BRICS 2026 website was launched, and the schedule of meetings leading to the 18th BRICS Summit was announced.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said the grouping, as it completes 20 years, remains a “valuable forum for international cooperation, consultation and coordination,” and appreciated member inputs to advance India’s 2026 priorities.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa, Sergey Ryabkov, highlighted the practical outcomes achieved in 2025 and stressed the need for deeper cooperation across political, economic, financial, and humanitarian pillars.
Backing India’s leadership, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said Beijing is ready to work with New Delhi to deepen practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, and uphold international fairness and justice.
Other delegations also signalled engagement. Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hadera Abera, noted productive bilateral discussions on agriculture, trade and multilateral cooperation, while Belarus expressed interest in joining the New Development Bank.
India’s fourth BRICS Chairship comes at a time of expanded membership, with the grouping now representing 11 emerging economies, reinforcing its focus on Global South priorities and inclusive multilateralism.