The transfer of the BRICS presidency from Brazil to India comes at a moment of geopolitical churn and institutional uncertainty. Marked by the symbolic handover of a gavel crafted from recycled Amazon wood, the transition signals continuity in priorities even as India prepares to steer an expanded BRICS through mounting global pressures in 2026.
The Symbolism Behind the Gavel
BRICS presidencies have increasingly used symbolism to communicate intent. Russia handed Brazil a steel gavel in 2024, evoking industrial strength. Brazil, in turn, passed on a gavel made from recycled Amazon rainforest wood to India, underlining sustainability and shared responsibility. According to Brazil’s BRICS sherpa, the gesture reflected trust in India’s leadership and a commitment to advance a people-centric BRICS agenda.
Taking Stock of Brazil’s Presidency
The BRICS sherpas’ meeting in Brasilia on December 11–12 served as a comprehensive review of Brazil’s tenure, which formally ends on December 31. With all 11 full members represented, the meeting assessed progress made through 2025. Brazil consciously pushed BRICS beyond its traditional macroeconomic and geopolitical focus, stressing tangible outcomes that affect daily life.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira emphasised that while global issues would remain central, BRICS’ relevance would increasingly be judged by its ability to deliver concrete benefits to societies across the Global South.
Key Deliverables from the Rio Summit
Brazil framed its presidency around sustainability and inclusive development, translating intent into three major declarations at the July Rio de Janeiro summit:
- A framework for the governance of artificial intelligence
- A climate financing roadmap
- A partnership to eliminate socially determined diseases
Health cooperation, climate action and technology governance emerged as core BRICS priorities, reflecting concerns shared across emerging economies.
BRICS Amid a Crisis of Multilateralism
Brazil’s presidency unfolded against rising scepticism towards multilateral institutions. Rather than weakening BRICS, this environment amplified its relevance as a platform for dialogue and coalition-building among non-Western powers. The Rio declaration reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism, positioning BRICS as a counterweight to fragmented global governance.
A direct challenge came in June when U.S. President Donald Trump warned of punitive action — including 100% tariffs — if BRICS attempted to weaken the U.S. dollar. Subsequent remarks by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, implicitly criticising India’s BRICS alignment and defence ties with Russia, highlighted the strategic pressure facing the grouping.
The Expanded BRICS Moment
The Rio summit on July 6–7 was historic, bringing together all 11 full members, 10 partner countries, eight invited nations and major multilateral institutions. Leaders endorsed declarations on finance, climate and technology, reinforcing BRICS’ claim to represent a reorganising Global South.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva framed BRICS as the “cradle of a new development model,” criticising global financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF for perpetuating asymmetries where developing countries finance the developed world. Calls for reform of the global financial architecture became a central legacy of Brazil’s tenure.
Economic Autonomy and the NDB
Another pillar of Brazil’s presidency was economic autonomy. New Development Bank president Dilma Rousseff reiterated the NDB’s mandate to finance infrastructure, innovation and sustainability while promoting sovereignty and social justice. This reinforced BRICS’ long-standing ambition to reduce dependence on Western-dominated financial systems.
India’s Role at Rio and Beyond
Despite external pressure, India participated actively in the Rio summit, helping consolidate the expanded BRICS framework. At the handover ceremony, India’s BRICS sherpa Sudhakar Dalela acknowledged Brazil’s stewardship, particularly in managing the integration of new members while preserving the grouping’s founding principles.
The year 2025 has been challenging for BRICS, with renewed U.S. unilateralism and trade disruptions. Both Brazil and India faced steep tariffs, though Brazil managed to see many rolled back. Brazil’s ability to navigate these pressures without fragmenting the grouping offers a template for future presidencies.
What India’s Presidency Will Focus On
As India prepares to lead BRICS in 2026, continuity rather than disruption defines its approach. The presidency will be anchored on four pillars:
- Resilience
- Innovation
- Cooperation
- Sustainability
Ongoing initiatives on climate change, artificial intelligence, scientific cooperation and development finance are expected to continue, with an emphasis on consolidating gains made during Brazil’s tenure.
What to Note for Prelims?
- BRICS expanded membership: 11 full members
- Rio de Janeiro BRICS Summit, July 2025
- New Development Bank (NDB)
- BRICS focus on AI governance and climate finance
- Symbolism of BRICS presidency gavel
What to Note for Mains?
- BRICS as a platform for Global South multilateralism
- Challenges posed by U.S. unilateralism to emerging economies
- Role of BRICS in reforming global financial governance
- India’s strategic balancing within BRICS
- Significance of expanded BRICS for global power shifts
