GS Paper 2 · 14 September 2026
BRICS Summit Puts Inclusive Global Governance between Representation and Delivery
At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the Prime Minister chaired the 12 September 2026 session on strengthening global governance. He argued that the Global South often bears the first impact of crises but remains distant from decisions, and called for greater representation in institutions including the UN Security Council. The address framed the transition as one from rule-takers to rule-shapers and offered Indian training support for diplomats and policymakers from BRICS and partner countries. It also proposed a Seafarers Emergency Support Network to improve coordination when sailors face accidents, detention or crisis abroad. Leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration. These steps place institutional reform, capacity-building and practical cooperation on one agenda. Yet a summit statement is not itself a change in voting rights, membership or financing. Its significance depends on negotiated follow-through, clear institutional design and whether the grouping can reconcile a larger membership with workable consensus and public goods.
Why UPSC cares
For GS Paper 2, this connects reform of multilateral institutions, Global South representation, BRICS expansion and India's role as a bridge-builder. Answers should distinguish agenda-setting from formal reform and assess legitimacy, consensus, capacity-building, practical cooperation and institutional effectiveness.
How to study this story
Representation is a legitimacy question, but effectiveness is a design question. A more representative Security Council could better reflect contemporary power and affected regions, yet formal reform needs agreement among states with unequal interests and privileged positions. BRICS can build political pressure, coordinate negotiating positions and demonstrate alternatives through practical cooperation; it cannot amend another institution by declaration. Its enlarged membership also creates a trade-off: wider voice improves inclusion, while diverse strategic interests can slow agreement. Training diplomats can reduce negotiating-capacity gaps that prevent smaller states from shaping technical rules. The proposed seafarer network offers a useful test because it converts solidarity into a defined service requiring focal points, verified alerts, consular coordination, data safeguards and response-time standards. India should therefore pair normative claims with measurable institutional proposals. In a Mains answer, use a two-track framework: pursue formal redistribution of voice while building transparent, issue-based public goods that earn trust. Judge progress through adopted procedures, funded programmes, response outcomes and sustained coalition-building rather than summit language alone.
The larger paper context
Read the GS Paper 2 story through legitimacy and delivery: identify who remains under-represented, which institution can change the rules, and which practical BRICS mechanisms can produce accountable public goods while formal reform is negotiated.
Probable question
Inclusive global governance requires both representative institutions and the capacity to deliver common goods. Examine with reference to BRICS.
Quick practice check
Q1
What institutional concern did India emphasise at the BRICS governance session?
- Under-representation of the Global South in major decisions
- A single BRICS currency was adopted
- The UN Charter was replaced
- All trade barriers were abolished
Show answer
Correct answer: Under-representation of the Global South in major decisions
The address stressed that the Global South faces crisis effects without proportionate representation in decision-making.
Q2
What was proposed as a practical cooperation mechanism?
- A global customs union
- A Seafarers Emergency Support Network
- A common BRICS army
- A permanent commodity price
Show answer
Correct answer: A Seafarers Emergency Support Network
India proposed a network to coordinate support for seafarers facing emergencies abroad.
Related practice questions
- Why has reform of global institutions remained difficult despite wider demands for representation?
- Assess the opportunities and constraints for India in using BRICS to advance Global South priorities.