The leaders of BRICS nations have unanimously extended their full support to India’s Chairship of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in 2026. The endorsement came in a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the 17th BRICS Summit held on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.
The declaration, titled “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, also welcomed India’s candidacy to host the 33rd UN Climate Change Conference (COP 33) in 2028. In a strong show of support, the BRICS leaders reiterated backing for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“Recalling the 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg-II Leaders’ Declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, reiterate their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council,” stated the Rio de Janeiro Declaration.
Addressed the session on ‘Environment, COP30, and Global Health’ at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. I’m grateful to Brazil for initiating a discussion on these topics at the BRICS Summit because these are important subjects for the future of humankind. pic.twitter.com/YmzecrnW5U
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2025
India’s Initiatives and Vision Lauded
India’s leadership in innovation and technology was prominently recognized, with BRICS leaders applauding the launch of the BRICS Startup Forum in January 2025 and the establishment of a BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub. These initiatives aim to deepen collaboration across startup ecosystems in member nations.
The declaration also acknowledged India’s efforts in organizing Capacity Building Sessions on Digital Transformation as a key side event and encouraged further promotion of such initiatives across BRICS.
Speaking at the session on Environment, COP 30 and Global Health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:“Under India’s BRICS presidency, we will work to define BRICS in a new form. BRICS will mean Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. Just as, during our G-20 chairmanship, we gave priority to the issues of the Global South in the agenda, similarly during our chairmanship of BRICS, we will take this forum forward in the spirit of people-centricity and humanity first”.
Climate Leadership and Big Cats Alliance
On the environmental front, BRICS lauded India’s conservation efforts, particularly the creation of an International Big Cats Alliance, aimed at preserving rare species vulnerable to extinction. The leaders encouraged coordinated efforts among BRICS nations to promote wildlife conservation, especially of big cats.
Additionally, India’s role in amplifying the voice of the African Union during its G20 presidency in 2023 was highlighted and appreciated by the BRICS members.
Expanded Membership and Partnerships
This year’s summit also marked a historic expansion of the BRICS bloc. Indonesia was officially added as a new member, while eleven other nations, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and the African Union, were welcomed as BRICS partner countries.
The joint declaration concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Global South and building a more inclusive, multipolar world order.
India’s elevated role within BRICS reflects its growing influence on the global stage, with leadership in innovation, diplomacy, and sustainable development emerging as key pillars of its international engagement.
