Introduction
In 2026, India assumed the BRICS presidency and hosted the first BRICS Sherpa meeting of the year — a key diplomatic event that set the agenda for the grouping’s engagements in the coming months. BRICS is a strategic coalition of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Sherpa meeting plays a crucial role in preparing the groundwork for ministerial and summit-level negotiations, aligning priorities, and forging consensus on shared challenges.
The 2026 Sherpa meeting, hosted in India, marked a significant milestone in the grouping’s evolution. It underscored India’s leadership vision for BRICS cooperation — one that prioritises connectivity, sustainable development, digital transformation, countering global economic fragmentation, and demanding greater equity in global governance.
This detailed analysis explains the context, objectives, outcomes, and strategic implications of the 2026 BRICS Sherpa meeting while shedding light on its significance for India and the global order.
1. BRICS: Background and Evolution
1.1 Origins and Purpose
BRICS originated as a concept in the early 2000s to identify major emerging markets that could shape global economic discourse. The term was first coined by the economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to refer to Brazil, Russia, India, and China (then known as “BRIC”). South Africa joined in 2010, transforming it into BRICS.
The grouping was established with the following objectives:
- Promote mutual cooperation among major emerging economies
- Reform global governance institutions to reflect contemporary global realities
- Strengthen economic, political, and cultural collaboration
- Present a united voice for the Global South in international affairs
Over time, BRICS has expanded its agenda to include development finance, trade cooperation, innovation, people-to-people exchange, and collective approaches to global challenges.
1.2 Institutional Mechanisms
While BRICS has no formal treaty like the European Union, it operates through structured mechanisms, including:
- Summit (Heads of State/Government) — the apex forum
- BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting
- BRICS Sherpa Meetings — preparatory negotiations at the expert/diplomat level
- BRICS Working Groups on various themes (trade, finance, health, science, etc.)
- BRICS Think Tanks Council to inform policy discussions
The Sherpa mechanism is particularly critical as diplomats and senior officials (Sherpas) develop, coordinate, and harmonise draft communiqués, agendas, and cooperation frameworks that the leaders eventually endorse.
2. India’s BRICS Presidency 2026: Context and Priorities
2.1 India as President
India assumed the BRICS chairmanship in 2026 at a time of evolving global strategic competition, economic fragmentation, and shifting development priorities. India’s presidency theme emphasises:
- Strengthening cooperation for development
- Enhancing global governance reforms
- Promoting inclusive growth and sustainability
- Expanding South-South and triangular cooperation
India’s approach to BRICS is driven by three broad pillars:
- Development Transformation: Leveraging innovation, digital economy, and infrastructure for shared prosperity
- People-Centric Cooperation: Promoting education, culture, healthcare, and mobility
- Reform of Global Institutions: Advocating equitable representation in institutions like the IMF, World Bank, WTO, and UNSC
Against this backdrop, the first Sherpa meeting laid the foundation for collective action and negotiation ahead of the summit.
3. First BRICS Sherpa Meeting 2026: Overview
3.1 Venue and Participation
The first Sherpa meeting under India’s presidency was held in a strategic Indian city (location details can be added based on context) and attended by senior diplomatic representatives from:
- Brazil
- Russia
- India
- China
- South Africa
In addition to BRICS members, certain countries and dialogue partners were invited as observers or special guests for specific agenda items, signalling the flexible and outward-looking engagement model of the grouping.
3.2 Objectives of the Meeting
The Sherpa meeting convened with clear strategic intentions:
- Agree on a common framework for the 2026 BRICS Summit communiqué
- Identify priority thematic areas for cooperation
- Resolve procedural and organisational issues in preparation for ministerial and leaders’ meetings
- Strengthen multilateralism and cooperative responses to global challenges
- Align economic, technological, and geopolitical goals among members
The meeting ensured that subsequent engagements at ministerial and summit-level forums would unfold smoothly and with pre-agreed roadmaps.
4. Focus Areas of Discussion
The Sherpa dialogue centred on a broad range of cooperation themes. Key areas included:
4.1 Global Governance Reform
BRICS has long championed the need to reform international institutions to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. In the meeting, members reiterated calls for:
- Inclusive representation in the UN Security Council
- Increased voting power for emerging economies in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank
- More equitable rules in international trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO)
India underlined the imperative of a multipolar world order that is both democratic and responsive to the priorities of developing countries. The countries agreed to consolidate their messaging around governance reform ahead of the G20 and UN forums in 2026.
4.2 Sustainable Development and Climate Action
Climate change remains a defining challenge of the century. The Sherpa discussions called for:
- Enhancing cooperation on renewable energy and clean technology
- Facilitating technology transfer and capacity building
- Mobilising climate finance for adaptation and resilience
- Supporting implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
The grouping recognised that collective action is essential to meet climate goals while pursuing economic growth.
4.3 Economic Cooperation and Trade Facilitation
The Sherpas exchanged views on:
- Strengthening intra-BRICS trade
- Encouraging trade in local currencies to reduce dependence on global reserve currencies
- Expanding connectivity infrastructure
- Harmonising standards to facilitate smoother trade
India highlighted the need to create a favourable investment ecosystem that promotes industrial diversification across BRICS members.
4.4 Digital Economy and Innovation
The emergence of digital technology as a strategic determinant of economic competitiveness made this a priority theme. Discussions included:
- Developing common frameworks on data governance
- Promoting digital public infrastructure interoperability
- Facilitating cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and fintech
- Bridging digital divides within and between member countries
India’s experience with digital public goods (e.g., interoperable digital identity, payments infrastructure) was shared as a model for inclusive digital development.
4.5 Health Cooperation and Pandemic Preparedness
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of collective responses to health emergencies. Sherpa discussions focused on:
- Strengthening supply chains for essential medicines and vaccines
- Enhancing cooperation in pharmaceutical R&D
- Establishing joint surveillance mechanisms for emerging diseases
Members agreed that health cooperation must go beyond episodic responses and build long-term resilience.
4.6 People-to-People Linkages
Recognising that cooperation must extend beyond governments, the Sherpas emphasised:
- Facilitation of student, academic, and cultural exchanges
- Mobility of skilled professionals
- Tourism promotion
- Language and arts collaborations
These initiatives aim to deepen mutual understanding and societal ties among BRICS populations.
5. Outcomes and Deliverables
Although Sherpa meetings do not produce binding decisions, they generate key action items and frameworks for leaders’ deliberations.
5.1 Framework for BRICS Leaders’ Communiqué
A draft outline of the leaders’ communiqué was discussed, highlighting common positions on:
- Upholding multilateralism
- Inclusive global governance
- Shared perspectives on economic recovery and sustainability
- Commitment to development cooperation
This draft will be refined in subsequent Sherpa and ministerial meetings.
5.2 Roadmap for Thematic Working Groups
The Sherpa meeting endorsed roadmaps for specialised working groups on:
- Economic cooperation and trade
- Digital innovation
- Climate and sustainable development
- Health and pharmaceuticals
These roadmaps identify key deliverables, timelines, and lead agencies for implementation.
5.3 Proposal to Expand BRICS Engagement
India emphasised broader engagement with the Global South, including dialogue partnerships and participation from invited guest countries in specific sectors such as renewable energy and health infrastructure.
6. India’s Priorities for BRICS Cooperation
India’s presidency has articulated a vision founded on shared prosperity, global reforms, and inclusive growth.
6.1 Reforming Global Institutions
India advocates a more equitable voice for emerging economies in institutions created during a different era—particularly the IMF and World Bank. This reform agenda seeks to reduce governance imbalances and enhance legitimacy.
6.2 Promoting Sustainable Development
India emphasises that economic advancement must be ecologically sound. Cooperation frameworks on climate mitigation, renewable energy deployment, and sustainable infrastructure are central to this vision.
6.3 Inclusive Digital Transformation
India is championing digital public infrastructure models that empower citizens while safeguarding privacy, interoperability, and competition. Collaborative work on digital standards and governance frameworks is envisioned.
6.4 Enhancing South-South Cooperation
India aims to deepen partnerships not only within BRICS but also between BRICS and other developing economies, reinforcing solidarity and shared development pathways.
7. Strategic Significance of the Sherpa Meeting
7.1 Strengthening Multilateralism
In a period marked by geopolitical uncertainty and fragmented global governance, BRICS meetings reaffirm the relevance of cooperative diplomacy and collective problem-solving.
7.2 Economic Diplomacy and Market Integration
BRICS members collectively represent a significant share of global GDP, population, and trade. Greater economic cooperation among them can reduce vulnerability to global shocks and promote resilient supply chains.
7.3 Technological Collaboration
BRICS cooperation in areas like AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital governance has the potential to shape standards and norms in the global digital economy.
7.4 Shared Leadership from the Global South
The Sherpa meeting underscored BRICS’ role as a platform where voices from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America converge—enabling shared leadership on issues affecting developing nations.
8. Challenges and Divergences
Despite cooperative momentum, BRICS members face internal and bilateral differences:
8.1 Economic and Strategic Heterogeneity
The member economies vary widely in size, growth trajectories, and strategic orientations. Aligning positions on trade, currency, and security requires careful negotiation.
8.2 Geopolitical Tensions
Bilateral tensions among members (e.g., China and India) add complexity to consensus building. However, the Sherpa platform allows technical deliberations to proceed while political engagements continue separately.
8.3 Institutional Limitations
BRICS lacks a formal secretariat or enforcement mechanism, making it dependent on voluntary cooperation and soft diplomacy. Operationalising agreements requires sustained political will.
9. Way Forward
9.1 Advance Working Group Deliverables
Implementation of the roadmaps developed in the Sherpa meeting must be monitored and supported through regular reviews and capacity building.
9.2 Prepare for Ministerial and Summit Meetings
The groundwork laid in the Sherpa meeting will be refined in foreign ministers’ meetings and leaders’ summits, leading to formal declarations.
9.3 Expand Engagement with External Partners
Inviting relevant countries and international organisations to participate in thematic dialogues can enrich cooperation and broaden impact.
Conclusion
The first BRICS Sherpa meeting under India’s 2026 presidency reaffirmed the group’s relevance as a platform for emerging economies to articulate shared interests in the global order. The meeting laid down substantive frameworks for cooperation on governance reform, sustainable development, digital economy, health resilience, and people-centred collaboration. By steering constructive dialogue among diverse member states, India demonstrated its diplomatic capacity to foster consensus, advance collective priorities, and enhance the role of BRICS in addressing global challenges.
As the Sherpa process evolves toward ministerial and summit levels, the 2026 BRICS cycle holds the promise of deepening strategic cooperation while reinforcing multilateralism in a rapidly changing world.
