India hosts BRICS chief justices ahead of 12-13 September summit
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Where it stands
The 18th BRICS Summit is due at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026. The summit has not started. India chairs BRICS in 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the dates on 27 August 2026. Leaders of the 11 members, 10 partners and outreach countries are invited. In May 2026 the Kremlin confirmed President Vladimir Putin's attendance. The Supreme Court of India hosts the BRICS Chief Justices' Forum in New Delhi from 4 to 6 September 2026. On 4 September Chief Justice of India Surya Kant proposed a BRICS platform for arbitration and mediation. On 5 September the Chief Justice said BRICS should be 'the living Nalanda University'. There is no leaders' declaration yet.
Background
BRICS is a group of large developing countries. The name joins the initials of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Foreign ministers of the first four countries met in New York in 2006. The first summit was in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2011. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates became members in January 2024. Indonesia became a member in January 2025. Ten partner countries joined in 2025. One member chairs the group each year and hosts the summit. BRICS countries also set up the New Development Bank in 2015.
How it developed
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1 January to 27 August 2026How it started
India took over the BRICS chair from Brazil on 1 January 2026
India took over the BRICS chair from Brazil on 1 January 2026. The 2026 chair is India's fourth, after 2012, 2016 and 2021. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the theme, logo and website on 13 January 2026. The theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. Over 350 BRICS meetings were held in over 25 Indian cities through the year. On 19 May 2026 the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin will attend the New Delhi summit. On 27 August 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs announced the summit dates and the venue. The ministry said the year 2026 marks twenty years since BRICS was set up.
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4 September 2026New fact
Chief Justices' Forum opens in Delhi; CJI proposes arbitration platform
The Supreme Court of India opened the three-day BRICS Chief Justices' Forum in New Delhi on 4 September 2026. Nine other member countries sent judicial leaders: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE. Seven partner countries also attend: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant held bilateral meetings with ten delegations on the opening day. The Chief Justice proposed a common platform for arbitration and mediation to settle commercial disputes. The talks also covered mutual recognition of court decrees and exchange programmes through the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.
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5 September 2026New fact
CJI calls for 'healthy disagreement' as the Forum holds four sessions
On 5 September 2026 the Chief Justice of India addressed the heads of delegations. The Chief Justice called for a culture of 'healthy disagreement and deliberation'. The Chief Justice said BRICS 'should also be known as the living Nalanda University'. Ancient Nalanda admitted scholars from many countries without asking them to agree on one system of law. The Forum then held sessions on mediation in commercial disputes and on enforcing arbitral awards across borders. Later sessions covered artificial intelligence in the judiciary and the judiciary's role in sustainable development.
Why it matters for UPSC
For GS2 (international relations), BRICS now has 11 member countries and 10 partner countries. Keep the two lists apart: a partner country is not a full member. India holds the 2026 chair, its fourth after 2012, 2016 and 2021. The Chief Justices' Forum is a judicial track, not the leaders' summit. No leaders' declaration has been issued yet.
Key terms
Sources (8)
- Ministry of External Affairs · official · 18th BRICS Summit (press release, 27 August 2026)6 Sep, 1:35 am
- ANI · Russian President Putin to attend BRICS summit in New Delhi this September, confirms Kremlin aide (19 May 2026)6 Sep, 1:35 am
- Embassy of India, Riyadh · official · 18th BRICS Summit, 12-13 September, New Delhi (MEA press release of 27 August 2026, embassy copy dated 30 August 2026)6 Sep, 1:20 am
- Supreme Court of India · official · Press release, 4 September 2026: BRICS Chief Justices' Forum starts in New Delhi; CJI holds bilateral meetings with judicial leaders6 Sep, 2:10 am
- LiveLaw · BRICS Chief Justices' Forum begins in New Delhi; CJI Surya Kant meets world judicial leaders (4 September 2026)6 Sep, 2:20 am
- Supreme Court of India · official · Press release, 5 September 2026: Day-two of deliberations at the BRICS Chief Justices' Forum in New Delhi6 Sep, 2:10 am
- LiveLaw · BRICS should be a 'living Nalanda University', CJI says at BRICS Chief Justices' Forum (5 September 2026)6 Sep, 2:05 am
- The Tribune · There's need for culture of healthy disagreement, deliberation, CJI Kant tells BRICS Chief Justices' Forum (5 September 2026)6 Sep, 2:05 am