China to Assume BRICS Presidency for 2027 After New Delhi Summit Handover Xi Jinping announced China will take over BRICS chairmanship next year, calling bloc most influential emerging market platform. International Relations · 14 Sep 2026 · GS: GS2, Essay · Exam yield: High WHY THIS MATTERS China's 2027 BRICS presidency shapes Global South agenda amid rising multipolarity. For UPSC, it tests India’s strategic autonomy and global governance reform stakes. IN PLAIN WORDS BRICS is a club of emerging economies that started in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and has expanded to an 11-member grouping by 2026, created to amplify the Global South’s voice in a world ordered by Western-led institutions. At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026, India chaired the meeting and then handed the annual chairmanship to China for 2027—a scheduled rotation but one loaded with geopolitical significance as the bloc turns twenty. The handover came after all members adopted the New Delhi Declaration, a consensus paper where Iran and the UAE dropped tough demands on blaming the West Asia war, agreeing instead to vague calls for ‘maximum restraint’. Chinese President Xi Jinping, after a bilateral with PM Modi, termed BRICS the most influential platform for emerging markets and launched a BRICS AI-empowered new industrialization initiative. Modi urged comprehensive UN Security Council reform and a G20-like ‘troika’ system so presidential changes do not break momentum. China will now steer BRICS agenda through 2027. Imagine BRICS as a rotating class captain system in a diverse school: each year a new captain (China now) leads, but the class’s internal disagreements—like Iran and UAE’s clash—are papered over with neutral wording to keep the group intact. The declaration is the peace treaty that lets the handover happen without a split. KEY FACTS • Xi announced China's BRICS presidency for next year after bilateral meet with Modi • Grouping termed 'world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets' • Handover follows New Delhi Declaration adoption on Sep 12, 2026 • India chaired 2026 summit in New Delhi HOW WE GOT HERE BRICS began as BRIC in 2009 when Brazil, Russia, India, China held first summit in Yekaterinburg; South Africa joined in 2010, making BRICS. The group expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and UAE, and later Indonesia, reaching 11 members by the 2026 New Delhi Summit. Annual summits rotate chairmanship; India previously hosted in 2012 and 2016. The 2026 summit was the 18th edition, marking 20 years of cooperation. In run-up ministerial meets in May 2026 failed to issue statements due to Iran-UAE rift over West Asia conflict. The New Delhi Declaration was thus a hard-won consensus. China’s President Xi had last hosted in 2017 (Xiamen) and again assumes presidency for 2027, continuing the rotation after India’s 2026 tenure. THE BIGGER PICTURE International — Geopolitical Balancing in BRICS The handover occurs amid great-power competition. China assumes presidency after India, with both leaders affirming steady progress since Tianjin meet Aug 2025 (The Hindu). The New Delhi Declaration avoided naming US/Israel in West Asia, showing BRICS avoids direct confrontation yet criticises unilateral sanctions. Its criticism of Gaza bombardment alongside no mention of Ukraine illustrates selective pressure. This reflects a neutral platform seeking multipolarity. → China’s presidency tests BRICS neutrality amid Global South divides. Political — Global Governance Reform Push The New Delhi Declaration 2026 explicitly backed comprehensive UN reform and larger UNSC roles for India and Brazil (Business Standard). Modi proposed a BRICS troika like G20 for continuity. This shows political will to restructure institutions that currently favour Western powers, aligning with Global South demands for equitable voice in security and financial governance. → BRICS 2026 cemented call for UNSC expansion including India. Economic — De-dollarisation Efforts BRICS resolved to boost intra-group trade and payments in national currencies, condemning unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law (The Hindu). This targets US tariffs and Western sanctions. Such steps signal gradual building of alternative financial plumbing, though actual share of local currency trade remains modest and dependent on bilateral mechanisms. → Declaration pushes national currency settlement to reduce Western leverage. Science & Tech — AI and New Industrialisation At the summit, Xi proposed the BRICS initiative of AI-empowered new industrialization, building on China’s World AI Cooperation Organization (Xinhua). The plan aims to share open-source AI and supply-chain cooperation among emerging economies, addressing tech gap. It complements Modi’s skill development mechanism for new technologies under the Global South framework. → China leverages BRICS presidency to shape Global South AI norms. THE BIG DEBATE Can BRICS remain an effective voice of the Global South given divergent member interests exposed at New Delhi? For: • Compromise on West Asia shows flexibility to accommodate rivals like Iran and UAE. • Consensus on UN reform and local currencies amplifies Global South demands. Against: • Non-specific condemnation of attacks reveals inability to assign blame. • Iran-UAE rift nearly blocked pre-summit statements, exposing fault lines. The balanced take: BRICS succeeds as a dialogic platform but its declaratory outputs dilute substance; China’s 2027 presidency must bridge gaps to convert consensus into concrete Global South leverage. ANSWER IT IN MAINS Discuss the role of BRICS in reforming global governance structures to better represent the Global South. (GS2) How to attack it: Intro with BRICS 20yr context → UNSC reform, financial institution voting → China’s 2027 presidency prospects → conclusion on multipolarity. Quote this: New Delhi Declaration 2026 call for comprehensive UN reform including India/Brazil in Security Council. Evaluate the potential of BRICS initiatives in reducing dependence on Western-dominated financial systems. (GS2) How to attack it: Define de-dollarisation → national currency trade clause → sanctions critique → limits and way forward. Quote this: The Hindu 2026: BRICS resolved intra-BRICS trade in national currencies, condemned unilateral measures. How can India maintain strategic autonomy within BRICS amid rising China influence? (GS2) How to attack it: Note Modi-Xi steady progress since Tianjin 2025 → troika proposal → balancing acts → autonomy via issue-based alignment. Quote this: The Hindu 2026: Leaders welcomed steady progress, differences should not become disputes. PRELIMS QUICK-FIRE • [International] BRICS 11-member grouping adopted New Delhi Declaration on 12 Sep 2026 under India’s chair (The Hindu 2026). — Brazil and UAE sent reps, not heads. • [Term] China to assume BRICS presidency in 2027 after New Delhi summit handover (The Hindu 2026). — 18th summit marked 20th yr of BRICS. • [International] New Delhi Declaration backed UNSC reform with bigger role for India and Brazil (Business Standard 2026). — No specific timeline given. • [International] BRICS condemned unilateral coercive measures targeting US tariffs (The Hindu 2026). — Phrase 'contrary to international law' used. • [Term] Xi proposed BRICS AI-empowered new industrialization initiative at 2026 summit (Xinhua 2026). — Linked to World AI Cooperation Org. • [Data] Declaration cited >70,000 civilian deaths in Gaza, backed SA court case (The Hindu 2026). — Figure believed, not verified UN. • [Term] Modi suggested G20-style troika for BRICS continuity (The Hindu 2026). — Troika = incoming, outgoing, current chairs. WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN 1. Institutionalise BRICS troika for presidential continuity Yearly chair rotation risks loss of momentum on long-term reforms. (New Delhi Declaration 2026 (Modi proposal)) 2. Expand local currency settlement frameworks Reduces vulnerability to unilateral sanctions and tariffs. (New Delhi Declaration 2026 economic clause) 3. Launch joint AI skill centres under BRICS Implements proposed AI-empowered industrialisation and Modi’s tech skill mechanism. (World AI Cooperation Organization 2026) JARGON, DEMYSTIFIED • BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and expanded members) — Intergovernmental group of emerging economies promoting Global South interests; expanded to 11 members by 2026. (Know summit rotation and 2026 New Delhi host.) • Troika (In BRICS/G20 context) — System where outgoing, current and incoming chairs jointly steer agenda for continuity across yearly rotations. (Modi proposed BRICS troika like G20 in 2026.) • UNSC (United Nations Security Council) — Principal UN organ for peace; has 5 permanent veto powers; reform sought for Global South representation. (New Delhi Declaration 2026 backed India/Brazil seats.) • Global South — Term for developing and emerging nations, often outside US/Europe sphere, seeking equitable global order. (BRICS called most influential platform for it.) • AI (Artificial Intelligence) — Machine systems performing cognitive tasks; BRICS initiative aims open-source industrial use. (Xi proposed AI-empowered new industrialization 2026.) • New Delhi Declaration — Consensus document adopted at 2026 BRICS summit covering governance, economy, West Asia restraint. (Adopted 12 Sep 2026 after Iran-UAE compromise.) • G20 (Group of Twenty) — Forum of 19 major economies plus EU for global financial stability; uses troika for summit continuity. (Modi cited G20 troika model for BRICS.) REVISE IN 30 SECONDS • China takes BRICS chair for 2027 after India's 2026 summit. • New Delhi Declaration adopted 12 Sep 2026 with compromise language. • BRICS calls for UNSC reform incl India, Brazil. • Xi proposes AI-empowered new industrialization for BRICS. • Modi suggests G20-style troika for continuity. STUDY NEXT Static links: International Relations - Regional Groupings, Global Governance Reforms Essay angle: BRICS at 20: Can the Global South rewrite the rules? Interview probe: How should India leverage BRICS presidency handover to advance UNSC reform? SOURCES • BRICS issues New Delhi Declaration, as UAE and Iran back down from tough positions - The Hindu — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/brics-issues-new-delhi-declaration-as-uae-and-iran-back-down-from-tough-positions/article71460749.ece Source: China to Assume BRICS Presidency for 2027 After New Delhi Summit Handover — https://upsc.cortexdesk.in/current-affairs/kd716cw0wsq42x5e005asv27xh8ecwer
