China engaged India in strategic talks just prior to India assuming the BRICS chairmanship, a move a former Indian diplomat interprets as a deliberate signal. The diplomatic engagement underscores the importance of India’s leadership role within the expanding bloc as it prepares to host the 2026 summit under a theme of resilience and cooperation.
China initiated a new round of the China-India Strategic Dialogue on February 10, with Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu meeting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Former senior Indian diplomat Vidya Bhushan Soni stated the timing, just days before India’s chairmanship began, was a clear message about Beijing’s recognition of India’s necessary role.
S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, reflected on the forum’s 20th anniversary, posting, “As BRICS completes 20 years, it stands as a valuable forum for international cooperation, consultation and coordination, taking forward its people-centric agenda.” China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, confirmed both nations agreed to support each other’s work as BRICS chair for 2026 and 2027, and to cooperate for a multipolar world.
India formally launched its BRICS presidency on January 13, unveiling the summit’s logo, theme, and website. The theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with the summit planned for New Delhi around August or September 2026. Jaishankar stated India’s approach is humanity-first and people-centric, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The bloc has expanded significantly, now comprising 11 full members including recent addition Indonesia, plus ten partner countries. This growth and the recent diplomatic engagement frame India’s upcoming chairmanship as a potentially consequential period for the group. The strategic dialogue indicates ongoing efforts to align major members’ priorities ahead of the 2026 summit.
