What happened?
During the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 8 July 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India’s upcoming BRICS presidency in 2026 will prioritise a ‘humanity first’ approach. Modi proposed redefining BRICS as ‘Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability’ and emphasised climate justice, technology transfer, and inclusive development. He also reiterated India’s climate leadership, highlighting progress towards its Net Zero 2070 target and the 4,000% growth in solar energy capacity over the past decade.
Why it matters to India
India’s proactive agenda signals its ambition to reshape global governance frameworks by championing equity and sustainability. As BRICS expands, India’s leadership role allows it to elevate concerns of the Global South, particularly in climate finance and developmental equity. The vision aligns with India’s efforts during its G20 presidency and reinforces its image as a responsible global actor. Emphasising climate justice and inclusive growth also bolsters India’s credibility in international negotiations, particularly ahead of COP-30 and amidst rising geopolitical fragmentation.