Published: 11:43 PM, 15 September 2026
The Bangladesh Context of the 18th BRICS Summit
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
BRICS is a unique alliance of emerging economic superpowers. It stands as a symbol of an alternative power structure countering Western dominance on the global stage. The alliance was formed with the aim of fostering economic cooperation and establishing a multilateral world order. Over time, it has emerged as an influential force in global politics. This year's summit is particularly significant and has drawn considerable attention for various reasons. This article discusses the history of the alliance, the current context, and the perspective regarding Bangladesh.
Jim O'Neill first introduced the concept of "BRICS" in 2001. Subsequently, the inaugural summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. The alliance officially began its journey comprising four nations. Its initial achievement was the resolve to overcome the global economic recession; however, a major shortcoming was the lack of an institutional framework.
The second summit was successfully concluded in Brasília, Brazil, in 2010. A key achievement of this summit was the decision to include South Africa in the alliance, transforming "BRIC" into "BRICS." Yet, no tangible progress was observed regarding the reform of international financial institutions.
The third summit was hosted in Sanya, China, in 2011. South Africa participated as a full member for the first time. A significant outcome was the pledge to enhance mutual economic and trade cooperation among the five nations. However, clear differences of opinion emerged among the member states regarding the Libya crisis.
The fourth summit took place in New Delhi, India, in 2012. The concept of establishing a New Development Bank for sustainable development was introduced—a historic step toward creating an alternative to the World Bank.
Nevertheless, disagreements persisted among the nations regarding the formation of the fund and the location of the headquarters.
The fifth summit was held in Durban, South Africa, in 2013. The primary objective was to strengthen partnerships for the development of the African continent. The formation of the BRICS Business Council was the most significant achievement of this phase. However, the desired flow of foreign investment for infrastructure development could not be secured. The sixth summit was held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014. A new development bank worth $100 billion was established during this summit; this marked the bloc's most significant financial achievement outside the Western-dominated system. However, the implementation process for the Contingent Reserve Arrangement was quite slow.
The seventh summit took place in Ufa, Russia, in 2015. A strategic roadmap for economic partnership among member nations was adopted. A joint security dialogue with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was a key outcome. However, no immediate solution emerged to counter Western economic sanctions.
The eighth summit was successfully held in Goa, India, in 2016. A major achievement was the joint declaration by member nations to combat terrorism. Several agreements were signed to foster cooperation in the agricultural and environmental sectors. However, bilateral border tensions between China and India somewhat dampened the summit's atmosphere.
The ninth summit was held in Xiamen, China, in 2017. A commitment was made to strengthen BRICS' role in global economic governance. A significant achievement was the inclusion of non-member countries through the 'BRICS Plus' concept.
The tenth summit took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2018. A decision was made to establish a joint research center to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Leaders agreed on safeguarding the multilateral trading system. However, it was not possible to take specific joint action against the US tariff war.
The eleventh summit was held in Brasília, Brazil, in 2019. A key outcome was the enhancement of mutual cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. A joint working group was formed to combat drug trafficking and crime. However, internal economic slowdowns within member nations hindered the achievement of expected progress.
The twelfth summit was held virtually in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2020. An announcement was made to intensify joint vaccine research to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Commitments to strategic stability and building a safer world were among the outcomes. However, the lack of in-person discussions and digital limitations due to the pandemic were notable shortcomings. The 13th summit was held virtually in New Delhi, India, in 2021. A key outcome of the summit was the approval of a counter-terrorism action plan. Cooperation was strengthened regarding the reform of multilateral systems and digital healthcare services; however, no specific joint action was taken concerning the crisis in Afghanistan.
The 14th summit took place virtually in Beijing, China, in 2022. It heralded the beginning of a new era of global development through the BRICS partnership. Agreements were signed on trade facilitation and customs cooperation, although an underlying diplomatic distance persisted among member nations regarding the war in Ukraine.
The 15th summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2023. This summit saw the announcement of the bloc's largest expansion in history; the decision to admit six new countries marked a historic milestone. However, no final decision could be reached regarding the introduction of a common BRICS currency.
The 16th summit took place in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. It gained a new dimension with the first participation of the newly admitted member countries. A consensus was reached on increasing trade in local currencies as an alternative to the US dollar. Yet, no proposals for lasting peace emerged regarding the Middle East crisis or the Russia-Ukraine war.
The core theme of the 18th BRICS Summit was established around the concept of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability." Emphasis was placed on the philosophy of human-centric development and prioritizing humanity. World leaders called for inclusive growth to tackle global challenges.
The summit took place on September 12 and 13, 2026, in New Delhi, the capital of India. Leaders gathered at the state-of-the-art 'Bharat Mandapam' complex. The two-day event unfolded amidst tight security and a festive atmosphere.
There was a strong collective desire to ease ongoing geopolitical tensions worldwide. The developing world, in particular, hoped for a radical overhaul of the global economic system. Calls were made to increase the New Development Bank's capital and to make lending terms more accessible.
Following the summit, the historic 'New Delhi Declaration' was adopted unanimously. It urged prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve international disputes. Without naming any specific country, the declaration condemned all forms of aggression and reiterated the demand for reforming global governance systems.
A major outcome was the agreement to enhance cooperation in technology and innovation. China unveiled a new framework for artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Mutual trade in national currencies among member nations was further facilitated.
However, there were some noticeable shortcomings in this major summit. Leaders failed to adopt a firm stance regarding the conflict in the Middle East. No permanent resolution was reached concerning internal bilateral trade disputes among member nations. It was not possible to announce a definitive timeline for introducing a common currency, nor was a solution found to circumvent Western sanctions.
The fact that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh did not attend the 18th BRICS Summit drew significant attention. The government cited domestic political and administrative engagements as the primary reasons. It was deemed essential for the head of government to remain in the country to address the economic crisis. Although an invitation was received in the capacity of the current BIMSTEC Chair, officials stated that circumstances were not favorable for attendance.
Diplomatic analysts offer varying interpretations of this decision. This represents a strategic stance of not leaning towards any specific bloc in the international arena. It reflects Bangladesh's traditional policy of "friendship to all, malice towards none." It may also be viewed as a subtle diplomatic effort to maintain good relations with Western superpowers.
Many believe that by not participating in the summit, Bangladesh has gained certain political and diplomatic advantages. It avoided directly aligning with any specific side amidst complex geopolitical equations. Consequently, this will facilitate the protection of trade and export markets with Western nations.
On the other hand, many experts feel that Bangladesh has missed significant diplomatic opportunities due to its absence. It failed to articulate its position on this massive platform for emerging economies. Discussions regarding securing large loans on favorable terms from the New Development Bank have stalled. A prime opportunity to strengthen the country's standing in multilateral diplomacy was lost.
An objective analysis suggests that this decision has yielded mixed results. While global pressure was averted in the short term, there is a risk of being deprived of the alliance's benefits in the long run. However, maintaining trade with BRICS nations through bilateral relations remains possible. Bangladesh must shape its future foreign policy by prioritizing national interests above all else.
At this juncture of the article, caught between hope and apprehension, I feel compelled to pen a few lines: A new melody resonates on the global stage; BRICS has set the economic game in motion. A ray of hope shines in New Delhi; the announcement promises to dispel the darkness. Bangladesh remains at home today, weighing the gains and losses in its mind. Time alone will tell how this complex diplomatic move unfolds in the days to come.
In conclusion, the 18th BRICS summit has added a new dimension to the global economy. The importance of this alliance in maintaining the balance of power is growing day by day.
Even though Bangladesh did not attend the summit in person, it cannot escape its impact. There is no alternative to prudent diplomacy for remaining relevant in the mainstream global economy. Only through the right decisions can the country's economic emancipation and prosperity be ensured.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an
essayist and an anti-narcotics
campaigner. Views expressed in
the article are the author’s
personal opinions.
