India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday launched the official logo and website for BRICS 2026, marking the start of India’s preparations to chair the global summit later this year. The event took place in New Delhi, with India officially stepping into a leadership role for a forum that brings together some of the world’s biggest emerging economies.

BRICS was formed in 2006 and includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Over the years, the group has seen more members joining in. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates became full members in January 2024, while Indonesia joined in January 2025.

What the new BRICS logo stands for

The newly unveiled logo carries a strong Indian symbolism. It is inspired by the lotus, which highlights India’s deep cultural roots and its ability to rise and thrive despite challenges. The petals use the colours of BRICS nations, showing how different voices come together for a shared vision. At the centre of the emblem is the Namaste gesture, which represents respect, dialogue and cooperation. Officials, according to ANI, said the design carries a people-first approach.

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The tagline that goes with the logo reads: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Along with the logo, Jaishankar also launched the official BRICS 2026 website. The platform is meant to act as a single source for all BRICS-related information. It will host details about initiatives, projects, meetings, events and official documents, making it easier for member nations and the public to stay informed.

Officials said the website is part of India’s effort to improve communication, outreach and coordination among BRICS countries ahead of the 2026 summit. “Over the years, BRICS has expanded its agenda and membership in response to changing global realities, while remaining focused on people-centric development, fostering dialogue, and promoting practical cooperation,” Jaishankar said.

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‘Humanity-first’ approach inspired by PM Modi

Jaishankar said India’s approach to leading BRICS is shaped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and places people first. “India approaches its chairship with a humanity-first and people-centric approach, inspired by the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

He also explained the theme chosen for India’s presidency. “Our chairship theme, building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, reflects our belief that cooperation among BRICS members can help address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner,” Jaishankar added.

BRICS at 20: A milestone year

Speaking after the launch, Jaishankar said India’s BRICS chairmanship will focus on global welfare. “India’s BRICS chairship will seek to bring together the potential of BRICS countries for greater global welfare. As India prepares to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026, we do so at an important moment in the grouping’s journey,” he said.

The forum will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, BRICS has grown into a powerful global platform. Today, the group includes 11 member nations that together account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, nearly 40% of global GDP, and around 26% of global trade.

“In 2026, BRICS will complete 20 years since its inception, during which it has steadily evolved into a major platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies,” Jaishankar said. 

The idea of BRICS goes back to 2001, when Goldman Sachs used the term “BRIC” in a report titled “The World Needs Better Economic BRICs.” The report predicted that Brazil, Russia, India and China would play a much bigger role in the global economy in the coming decades.

Jaishankar highlighted that the world is currently dealing with many serious challenges, making forums like BRICS more important than ever. “The current global environment presents complex and interlinked challenges. Geopolitical uncertainties, complicated economic landscapes, climate-related risks, technological changes and persistent development gaps continue to affect countries across regions,” he said. In this situation, he said, BRICS plays a meaningful role.