India Starts BRICS 2026 Presidency: New Lotus Logo, Theme, and ‘Humanity First’ Vision

New Delhi, January 14, 2026: A new chapter in global diplomacy has officially begun. India has assumed the BRICS Presidency for 2026, taking over the leadership baton from Brazil. In a grand ceremony held in New Delhi yesterday, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar launched the official website, theme, and logo for the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host later this year.

This is a historic moment for two reasons. First, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the grouping (originally formed as BRIC in 2006). Second, India will now lead a much larger and more powerful “BRICS+” group, which recently expanded to include new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia.

With the world facing economic uncertainty and geopolitical conflicts, all eyes are on New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has outlined a clear and ambitious roadmap: this presidency will not just be about politics; it will be about “Humanity First.”

The Grand Launch: A Symbol of Unity

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) unveiled the visual identity of India’s presidency. The new logo is deeply symbolic and reflects India’s cultural ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family).

The Logo: The Lotus and Namaste

The official logo features the Lotus, India’s national flower, which signifies growth and resilience even in difficult waters.

• Unity in Colors: The petals of the lotus are colored with the flag colors of all the BRICS member nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the new members. This represents “Unity in Diversity.”
• The Gesture: At the center of the lotus is a “Namaste” gesture (folded hands). Dr. Jaishankar explained that this symbolizes India’s welcoming spirit and respect for every nation’s sovereignty.

The Theme: B.R.I.C.S.

The theme for 2026 is a creative play on the acronym itself. It stands for:“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” This theme was chosen to address the four biggest needs of the developing world today: economic resilience against shocks, innovation in technology, cooperation in a polarized world, and sustainable development to fight climate change.

India’s Vision: The “Humanity First” Approach

During the launch event, Dr. Jaishankar emphasized that India’s leadership will be different. While many global alliances focus on military power or trade dominance, India wants to focus on the common man. This is what the government calls the “Humanity First” and “People-Centric” strategy.

What does this mean in practice?

1. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India plans to share its successful digital models like UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and Aadhaar with other BRICS nations. The goal is to help countries like Ethiopia and Egypt build their own low-cost digital banking systems to help their poor citizens.
2. Health Security: After the lessons learned from the pandemic, India wants to create a “BRICS Vaccine & Medicine Depot.” This would ensure that if another health crisis hits, the Global South does not have to beg rich nations for medicines.
3. Food Security: With wars disrupting supply chains, India wants to create a mechanism where BRICS nations can trade food grains and fertilizers easily among themselves, ensuring no country goes hungry.
4. Traditional Medicine: India will promote Yoga and Ayurveda, integrating traditional healing practices with modern medicine across the bloc.

The Challenge of a Bigger Family: Managing BRICS+

This is the first time India is chairing the expanded BRICS. The group is no longer just five emerging economies. It is now a massive bloc representing nearly 46% of the world’s population and over 36% of global GDP.

The recent addition of Indonesia (admitted formally in January 2025) along with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE has shifted the center of gravity.

• The Opportunity: A larger group means a bigger market for Indian goods and more political weight on the global stage.
• The Challenge: Managing such different countries is tough. For example, Iran and Egypt have different political views, and China has its own agenda. India’s role will be that of a “Vishwamitra” (Friend of the World), acting as a bridge to keep everyone united.

Key Agenda: Reforming the United Nations

One of India’s loudest demands during this presidency will be the reform of international institutions. Dr. Jaishankar stated clearly, “We cannot run the world in 2026 with systems created in 1945.”

India, along with Brazil and South Africa, has been demanding a permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC). The BRICS platform will be used to put pressure on Western powers to accept that the “Global South” deserves a seat at the high table.

Economic Focus: De-Dollarization and Local Currency Trade

Another hot topic for the 2026 summit will be reducing dependence on the US Dollar. While India has been cautious about a common “BRICS Currency,” it is aggressively pushing for trade in local currencies.

India wants to pay for Russian oil in Rupees, sell medicines to Africa in Rupees, and buy goods from Brazil in their currency. This reduces the risk of American sanctions affecting trade. The New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank, will play a huge role this year in funding infrastructure projects in member countries without the strict conditions often imposed by the IMF or World Bank.

What to Expect in 2026?

The year 2026 is going to be packed with action. The Indian government has planned over 100 meetings across the country, following the successful model of the G20 Presidency.

• Ministerial Meetings: There will be separate meetings for Foreign Ministers, Finance Ministers, and National Security Advisors.
• Youth and Culture: India plans to host a “BRICS Youth Summit” and a “BRICS Film Festival” to bring the people of these nations closer.
• The Main Summit: The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit is expected to take place in New Delhi later this year (likely in September or October 2026). Leaders like Vladimir Putin (Russia), Xi Jinping (China), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), and Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) will attend, along with the heads of the new member states.

Official Website and Communication

This website will host all press releases, meeting schedules, and policy documents. It is a one-stop shop for students, journalists, and researchers following the summit.

Conclusion: A Year of Responsibility

As India takes the helm, the world is watching. Can India manage the complex relations between China and the West? Can it give a voice to the poor nations of Africa and Asia? The “Humanity First” vision suggests that India is ready not just to lead, but to serve. For the common Indian citizen, this is a moment of pride—seeing their country set the global agenda for resilience and peace.

FAQs on India’s BRICS Presidency 2026