{"id":3917,"date":"2026-08-29T11:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T06:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=3917"},"modified":"2026-08-29T12:43:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T07:13:30","slug":"brics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/brics\/","title":{"rendered":"BRICS, Countries, Full Form, Headquarters, Currency, Summit 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>BRICS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a grouping of emerging economies focused on economic cooperation, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. Representing\u00a0 40% of the global GDP and about 49.5 per cent of the world\u2019s population, BRICS has increasingly positioned itself as a counterbalance to Western-led forums like the Group of 7 and the World Bank.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amid geopolitical shifts, particularly after the Ukraine conflict, BRICS has gained renewed significance. Strengthening its influence, BRICS expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and later welcomed Indonesia as a full member.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS History<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>BRICS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a strategic alliance of emerging economies, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, to enhance economic cooperation, political dialogue, and global influence. The term \"BRIC\" was first introduced in his 2001 research paper, Building Better Global Economic BRICS, to highlight the investment potential of these emerging economies.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>First BRIC Summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The inaugural summit, which discussed economic and financial cooperation, took place in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>South Africa\u2019s Inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: South Africa joined in 2011, leading to the group\u2019s renaming as BRICS.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Three Pillars of BRICS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BRICS operates under three pillars\u2014political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges\u2014focusing on multilateral cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Key Institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BRICS has established institutions like the New Development Bank in 2015 to enhance economic collaboration among its members.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Relevance Post-Ukraine Conflict<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BRICS has gained significant importance, particularly after the Ukraine conflict, positioning itself as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions like the G7 and the World Bank.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Full Form of BRICS<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS originally stood for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The term \u201cBRIC\u201d was coined by economist Jim O\u2019Neill in 2001. After South Africa joined in 2011, it became BRICS.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B \u2013 Brazil<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">R \u2013 Russia<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I \u2013 India<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C \u2013 China<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">S \u2013 South Africa<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Headquarters<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS does not have a permanent headquarters or central secretariat; its chairmanship rotates annually among member countries, with the chair country coordinating activities and hosting the BRICS Summit. However, the New Development Bank (NDB), a key BRICS institution, is headquartered in Shanghai, China.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Objectives<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS cooperation has evolved beyond economic coordination into a broad platform covering political-security, economic-financial and socio-cultural engagement. The official BRICS framework groups its cooperation under three broad areas:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Political and Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Strengthen political dialogue, promote peace, security and multilateralism, address terrorism and other transnational threats, and support reforms in global governance institutions such as the UN.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Economy and Finance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promote trade, investment and economic cooperation, strengthen financial coordination, support sustainable development and infrastructure financing through the New Development Bank (NDB), and enhance cooperation in technology, innovation and other emerging economic areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promote cooperation in education, culture, health, youth, sports and tourism while encouraging people-to-people contacts and greater mutual understanding among member countries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Countries<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS has expanded from the original BRIC grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China into an 11-member grouping, alongside a separate partner-country category. South Africa joined in 2011; Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined in the 2024 expansion, while Indonesia formally became a full member in January 2025.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Full Members (11):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Partner Countries (10):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Vietnam became the 10th BRICS partner country, taking the partner category beyond the nine partners initially recognised in 2025.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Membership Expansion<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The expansion of BRICS membership reflects the grouping\u2019s transition from a five-country emerging-economy forum to a broader platform representing the Global South. The expansion has increased its demographic, economic and geopolitical weight while also creating a more diverse membership with varied national interests as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>China\u2019s Global Influence:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> China sees an expanded BRICS as a means to enhance its economic and diplomatic influence and strengthen cooperation among emerging economies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>FOMO (Fear of Missing Out):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Countries may seek BRICS membership because they fear being left out of a growing and influential bloc, particularly its potential benefits in trade, investment, finance and diplomatic coordination.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Limited Alternatives:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BRICS provides developing countries with an additional platform beyond Western-led institutions and alliances for pursuing their economic and strategic interests.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Global South Unity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Expansion reflects the desire of developing countries for greater representation and a stronger collective voice in global governance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strategic Autonomy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Membership enables countries to diversify their economic and diplomatic partnerships and reduce excessive dependence on any single major power or bloc.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Functions<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS functions translate its broad objectives into practical cooperation among member countries, particularly in political, economic, and socio-cultural spheres.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Political and Security Cooperation<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To enhance cooperation and dialogue on issues of global and regional security and developments in the global political space for peace, security, and prosperity.\u00a0 Priorities under this pillar are the reform<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of the multilateral system and counter-terrorism cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS National Security Advisors\u2019 meeting is an important component of the BRICS Political and Security Pillar of cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deliberations on security issues such as counter-terrorism, cyber security, peace and stability, transnational organised crime, as well as the national security of BRICS countries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Economic and Financial Cooperation<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To promote economic growth and development for mutual prosperity through the expansion of intra-BRICS cooperation in sectors such as trade, agriculture, infrastructure, small and medium enterprises, energy, finance and banking.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a financial mechanism to protect against global liquidity pressures. CRA was established in <\/span><b>2015 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">to provide financial support to member countries that face balance of payments difficulties due to short-term liquidity pressures.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The legal basis for the Establishment was signed at Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014. The CRA's total lending capacity is $100 billion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>New Development Bank (NDB): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a multilateral development bank established by BRICS to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developed countries (EMDCs).<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Agreement was signed during the BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza in 2014, and the Bank started operations in 2015.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NDB has so far committed $32.8 billion to 96 infrastructure and sustainable development projects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cultural and People-to-People Contacts<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To qualitatively enrich and enhance intra-BRICS people-to-people contacts in cultural, academic, youth, sports, and business through regular exchanges, such as:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Parliamentary Forum<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Film Festival<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Youth Summit<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Academic Forum (BAF)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Currency<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The idea of a BRICS currency was discussed to reduce dependence on the US dollar, lower transaction and exchange-rate costs, strengthen financial autonomy, and facilitate smoother intra-BRICS trade. However, BRICS has not adopted a common currency and currently focuses on local-currency settlements and alternative cross-border payment mechanisms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Digital Payments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In 2026, BRICS discussions have included possible linkages between fast-payment systems and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/central-bank-digital-currency\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CBDC - Central bank digital currencies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, although these remain at the discussion stage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS and India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India is an important member of the BRICS group, and its participation in the organisation has been beneficial in many ways. Some of the key reasons why BRICS is important for India are:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Strategic Cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BRICS offers India a key platform for global engagement on security, terrorism, climate, and trade.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Economic Benefits:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> As a BRICS member, India gains access to a large market of 3+ billion people, offering vast business opportunities. NDB funding supports India's development projects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Reform of Multilateral Institutions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a member of BRICS, India has been able to work with other member countries to promote a more inclusive and equitable global order by promoting multilateral reforms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>South-South Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India, as a leading member of BRICS, has been able to use the platform to promote South-South cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and technology transfer.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Pillar of the New World Order: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the fifteenth BRICS Summit, after its expansion, the leaders called BRICS the pillar of the New World Order.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Dilemma:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> However, the challenge before India is to choose between a China-centric or a West-centric world order or balance the two.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Significance<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS is significant as an influential Global South grouping that promotes economic cooperation, strengthens multipolarity, provides alternative institutions, and amplifies developing countries\u2019 voices in global governance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Practical Response to Multilateral Deadlocks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> With institutions such as the WTO and UN Security Council facing prolonged deadlocks, BRICS has gained importance by focusing on practical cooperation in areas such as food security, digital governance, technology, vaccine access, and climate finance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Greater Representation of the Global South:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The inclusion of Indonesia and the introduction of the <\/span><b>partner-country model<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have expanded BRICS' reach across the Global South. This has improved its geographical representation while allowing the grouping to remain flexible.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strong Economic and Energy Influence:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BRICS represents around 45% of the world's population and more than 35% of global GDP in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. The presence of major energy producers such as Iran and the UAE further strengthens its influence over global growth, energy markets, and energy pricing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Alternative Institutions to Western-Led Systems:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Institutions such as the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) offer development financing, climate support, and emergency liquidity outside traditional IMF-centred frameworks. This has helped BRICS move beyond being merely a dialogue forum toward a more institutional and solutions-oriented platform.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promoting a Multipolar World Order:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BRICS advocates a more balanced and multipolar global order. Its ability to maintain dialogue and cooperation during crises such as COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict has increased its appeal among Global South countries seeking greater strategic autonomy and diplomatic flexibility.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS faces several challenges that could impact its cohesion and long-term effectiveness, ranging from economic and geopolitical differences to internal divisions. These obstacles complicate the group's ability to achieve its objectives and maintain unity in an increasingly complex global environment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Overlap with Other Groupings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: There is a parallel grouping of democracies known as IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa), which can lead to overlap in mandates and pose a challenge for BRICS to manage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Economic Slowdown:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The ongoing economic slowdown and trade disputes among member states can impact the group's ability to achieve its objectives.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Geopolitical Tensions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The BRICS countries have different geopolitical interests and have been involved in regional conflicts and disputes.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/belt-and-road-initiative-bri\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, '<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/string-of-pearls\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">string of pearls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2019, and developments at the Indo-China border have raised tensions with India.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>The Dominance of Three Countries: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The overwhelming influence of Russia, India, and China could potentially hinder the ability of other members, such as Brazil and South Africa, to have a meaningful impact on the group's decisions and direction.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>BRICS Currency and De-Dollarization: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the 15th Summit of BRICS, Brazil's President proposed the creation of a common currency for BRICS nations to reduce vulnerability to dollar exchange rate fluctuations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Difference of Opinion:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> While Brazil sees a common currency as a means of reducing vulnerabilities and increasing payment options, other BRICS leaders have varying opinions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Summits<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS has held an annual Leaders\u2019 Summit since 2009, serving as its highest-level platform for political, economic and strategic coordination. The latest summit is scheduled to be held in India in 2026, under India\u2019s BRICS Chairship.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 90.5947%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><b>Summit<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><b>Year<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><b>Host Country<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><b>Key Outcome \/ Theme<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1st \u2013 Yekaterinburg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2009<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Russia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First BRIC Summit; called for a greater voice for emerging economies.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2nd \u2013 Bras\u00edlia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2010<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brazil<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Strengthened economic and financial cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3rd \u2013 Sanya<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2011<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">China<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Africa joined; BRIC became BRICS.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4th \u2013 New Delhi<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2012<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on development and global governance reform.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5th \u2013 Durban<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2013<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Africa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NDB and CRA initiatives advanced.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">6th \u2013 Fortaleza<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2014<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brazil<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NDB and CRA formally established.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">7th \u2013 Ufa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2015<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Russia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Strengthened BRICS institutions and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">8th \u2013 Goa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2016<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on inclusive growth and global governance<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">9th \u2013 Xiamen<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2017<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">China<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Emphasis on BRICS cooperation and outreach<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">10th \u2013 Johannesburg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2018<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Africa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on BRICS\u2013Africa cooperation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">11th \u2013 Bras\u00edlia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2019<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brazil<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on economic growth and innovation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">12th \u2013 Moscow<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2020<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Russia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cooperation during <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">COVID-19<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">13th \u2013 New Delhi<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2021<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on intra-BRICS cooperation and counter-terrorism<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">14th \u2013 Beijing<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2022<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">China<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on global development and security<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">15th \u2013 Johannesburg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Africa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major expansion announced<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">16th \u2013 Kazan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Russia<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First summit after expansion; new members participated<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0476%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">17th \u2013 Rio de Janeiro<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6961%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2025<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.7223%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brazil<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 55.2563%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Focus on Global South cooperation and sustainable governance<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Summit 2026<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted by India in 2026, under India\u2019s BRICS Chairship. India formally assumed the chairship after Brazil\u2019s 2025 presidency, with the 2026 agenda centred on strengthening cooperation among BRICS members and advancing the interests of the Global South.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Host:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Year:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 2026<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Summit:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 18th BRICS Summit<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chair:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Theme:<\/b> <b>\u201cBuilding for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability\u201d<\/b><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Logo:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The 2026 logo incorporates the <\/span><b>lotus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, symbolising renewal, growth and cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Key Focus:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Global South, economic cooperation, technology and innovation, sustainable development, climate action, health and institutional reform.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Preparatory Meetings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India has already held meetings of Sherpas, Foreign Ministers and National Security Advisers under its 2026 chairship.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS Way Forward<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS needs to convert its growing membership and economic weight into effective, inclusive and practical cooperation, while managing differences among its diverse members.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Institutional Coordination:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improve coordination among members and ensure greater continuity across successive presidencies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Deepen Economic Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Expand intra-BRICS trade, investment and local-currency settlements while reducing transaction costs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve Payment Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Develop interoperable cross-border payment systems without rushing into a common BRICS currency.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Reform Global Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Build a coordinated position on reforms of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/the-united-nations-un\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">United Nations (UN)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/international-monetary-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">International Monetary Fund (IMF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, World Bank and WTO to enhance developing-country representation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1<\/b><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India has recently signed to become a founding member of the New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India. <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2014)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Compare the significance of IBSA and BRICS in the context of India\u2019s multilateral diplomacy <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2012)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q3: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above is\/are correct? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2025)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) I and II<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) II and III<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) I and III<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) I only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (a)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q4: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consider the following statements: <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2016)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Both 1 and 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Neither 1 nor 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q5<\/b><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The \u2018Fortaleza Declaration\u2019, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2015)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ASEAN\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BRICS<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">OECD\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WTO\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (b)<\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BRICS is a group of emerging economies that promotes economic cooperation and gives the Global South a stronger global voice. Read about BRICS, Countries, Full Form.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8196,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,29],"tags":[250,40,639],"class_list":["post-3917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-international-relations-and-institutions-notes","tag-brics","tag-quest","tag-upsc-international-relations-and-institutions-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3917"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28556,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917\/revisions\/28556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}