Context
India is hosting the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ (NSAs) Meeting in New Delhi from 22 to 23 June 2026, chaired by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, KC. The two-day gathering brings together security chiefs and heads of delegation from all 11 BRICS member countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The deliberations focus on the theme ‘Non-traditional Security Challenges Confronting the World Today’, with sessions covering the rapidly evolving nature of national security threats, the role of new technologies in emerging security risks, cybersecurity, digital vulnerabilities, and AI-driven threats. Delegates will also review outcomes of the recently-held BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and on Security in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The meeting takes place as India holds the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time in 2026 (after 2012, 2016, and 2021), under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’ (BRICS) — reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s people-centric and humanity-first vision articulated at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro (July 2025). Key attendees include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, and Iran’s Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ghadir Nezamipour.
The Meeting
- Event: 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting.
- Venue: New Delhi.
- Chair: NSA Ajit Doval, KC.
- Theme: ‘Non-traditional Security Challenges Confronting the World Today’.
- Organising body: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
11 BRICS Member Countries (Verified)
| # | Country | Joined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | Founding (2006/2009) |
| 2 | Russia | Founding (2006/2009) |
| 3 | India | Founding (2006/2009) |
| 4 | China | Founding (2006/2009) |
| 5 | South Africa | 2010 (BRIC → BRICS) |
| 6 | Egypt | 1 January 2024 |
| 7 | Ethiopia | 1 January 2024 |
| 8 | Iran | 1 January 2024 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 1 January 2024 |
| 10 | Indonesia | 6 January 2025 |
| 11 | Saudi Arabia | 2025 (formally became member) |
Discussion Themes
- Rapidly evolving nature of national security threats.
- Role of new technologies in emerging security risks.
- Cybersecurity and digital vulnerabilities.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven threats.
- Counter-terrorism cooperation.
- Security in the use of ICTs.
- Climate-related security risks.
- Food and energy security.
India’s BRICS Chairship 2026
- 4th Chairship (after 2012, 2016, 2021).
- Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” (BRICS acronym).
- Vision: People-centric and humanity-first approach by PM Modi articulated at 17th BRICS Summit, Rio de Janeiro (July 2025).
- Logo: Lotus (purity, resilience, progress) with petals in colours of all BRICS members.
- 18th BRICS Summit: Scheduled for 12–13 September 2026 in New Delhi.
Three Core Pillars of BRICS Cooperation
- Political and Security Cooperation.
- Economic and Financial Cooperation.
- Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges.
India’s Previous BRICS Chairships
| Year | Chairship | Summit | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1st | 4th BRICS Summit | New Delhi |
| 2016 | 2nd | 8th BRICS Summit | Goa |
| 2021 | 3rd | 13th BRICS Summit | Virtual |
| 2026 | 4th | 18th BRICS Summit | New Delhi (12–13 Sept 2026) |
What is BRICS?
- An intergovernmental organisation of major emerging market economies.
- Acronym: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (later expanded).
- Formed: 2006 at UN General Assembly (UNGA) sidelines in New York.
- 1st Summit: Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2009.
- Not a treaty-based organisation: Operates through annual summits, rotating chair, and ministerial meetings.
- Economic Weight (2025–26): ~40% of global GDP (PPP), ~46% of world population, ~26% of international trade.
BRICS History
- 2001: Term “BRIC” coined by Jim O’Neill, Goldman Sachs economist.
- 2006: 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting at UNGA sidelines, New York.
- 2009: 1st BRIC Summit at Yekaterinburg, Russia.
- 2010: South Africa invited to join.
- 2011: 3rd Summit at Sanya, China — first as BRICS.
- 2023: 15th Summit, Johannesburg — 6 countries invited.
- 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE joined (1 January).
- 2024: 16th Summit at Kazan, Russia — Partner country category created.
- 2025: Indonesia joined (6 January); Saudi Arabia formalised membership.
- 2025: 17th Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July).
- 2026: India holds Chairship; 18th Summit at New Delhi (12–13 Sept).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting held in New Delhi, consider the following statements:
- The meeting was held on 22–23 June 2026 and chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
- The theme of the meeting was “Non-traditional Security Challenges Confronting the World Today”.
- The meeting included a review of outcomes from BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and Security in the Use of ICTs.
- The meeting was attended by representatives from only the original 5 BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the meeting was attended by all 11 BRICS member countries, including the new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.)
Q2. With reference to BRICS membership in 2026, consider the following statements:
- BRICS currently has 11 full member countries.
- Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined as full members on 1 January 2024.
- Indonesia became a full member on 6 January 2025.
- Argentina is currently a full member of BRICS.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Argentina was invited in 2023 but withdrew its application under President Javier Milei in December 2023; Argentina is NOT a member of BRICS.)
Q3. With reference to India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026, consider the following statements:
- India holds the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time in 2026, having previously chaired in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
- India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
- The theme reflects PM Narendra Modi’s people-centric vision articulated at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2025.
- The 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted by Brazil in 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted by India in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, NOT Brazil.)
Q4. With reference to the BRICS grouping, consider the following statements:
- The term “BRIC” was coined by economist Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs in 2001.
- The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
- South Africa joined the bloc in 2010, transforming it from BRIC to BRICS.
- BRICS is a treaty-based military alliance.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; BRICS is NOT a treaty-based organisation and NOT a military alliance; it operates through annual summits, rotating chair, and ministerial meetings.)
Q5. With reference to the three core pillars of BRICS cooperation, consider the following statements:
- The pillars are: political and security cooperation; economic and financial cooperation; and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
- The agenda has expanded beyond the original economic focus to include counter-terrorism, climate change, and ICT security.
- The New Development Bank (NDB) was established in 2014 and is headquartered in Shanghai.
- The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a $50 billion liquidity backstop for BRICS members.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a $100 billion liquidity backstop, NOT $50 billion.)
Q6. With reference to NSA Ajit Doval’s bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS NSAs Meeting, consider the following statements:
- He met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in discussions described as “constructive and forward-looking”.
- He held talks with South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
- He met Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, who arrived in New Delhi for the meeting.
- He held bilateral talks with the US Secretary of State on the sidelines of the meeting.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the US is NOT a BRICS member, so the US Secretary of State did not attend the BRICS NSAs meeting; NSA Doval’s bilateral engagements were with BRICS counterparts only.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because all 11 BRICS members attended.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Argentina withdrew its application in December 2023.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because India (not Brazil) hosts the 18th Summit.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because BRICS is not a treaty-based military alliance.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the CRA is $100 billion, not $50 billion.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the US is not a BRICS member.
