India Hosts 16th BRICS National Security Advisers Meeting:
As the chair of BRICS 2026, India hosted the BRICS National Security Advisers’ (NSA) Meeting in New Delhi. Chaired by India’s NSA Ajit Doval, the high-level conclave took place against the backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts and rising tensions in West Asia.
- India welcomed the US – Iran Islamabad MoU and highlighted the opening of the Strait of Hormuz as a critical step to relieve supply chain bottlenecks and ensure global energy security.
- A “forward-looking” discussion took place with the Chinese Foreign Minister, noting progress toward the gradual normalization of India-China ties and emphasizing that stable, predictable relations build mutual trust.
- Reviewed the ongoing situation in West Asia and discussed cooperation under the BRICS platform as well as India-Iran bilateral ties.
- India’s Role in BRICS 2026:
- Chairship: India holds the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time in 2026 (having previously held it in 2012, 2016, and 2021).
- The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
- The NSA meeting serves as a key preparatory track to set the stage for the BRICS leaders’ summit in India later in the year.
- Theme: The 2026 chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting a humanity-first approach.
