The 2026 BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi from Saturday to Sunday, brought together leaders of major emerging economies to promote inclusive global governance, strengthen multilateralism, and foster sustainable global economic growth. The summit underscored the growing influence of BRICS as a platform for cooperation among developing countries, with China's development philosophy emerging as a central theme that resonates across the Global South.
In his address to Session I of the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation. He described it as 20 years of self-reliance and self-strengthening, during which BRICS countries have actively explored development paths suited to their own national conditions, setting an example of self-strengthening through unity among emerging markets and developing countries. This emphasis on tailored development strategies and solidarity highlights a shift away from one-size-fits-all models, offering a compelling alternative for nations seeking to chart their own courses.
On the sidelines of the summit, the People's Daily released a video titled "Through Xi's Eyes: Finding the answer to the 'warmth of BRICS,'" featuring the warmth of multilateral cooperation and how China's development philosophy resonates across the Global South. In the video, Busi Mabuza, South African chairperson of the BRICS Business Council, emphasized that emerging nations share a common bond: "Because most of the Global South countries are recently emerging from developing nation status, they understand the importance of not leaving anybody behind." She further noted that BRICS "has opened up relationships in markets that are not just large, but that believe in multilateralism, that believe in supporting BRICS partners through sharing of technology, through sharing of skills."
R. Deepak, professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University who brought stacks of President Xi's works back from China, observed that Xi's early years laid the foundation for his people-centered approach and poverty alleviation strategies. Such grassroots governance, Deepak noted, deeply resonates with nations of the Global South that share similar developmental journeys and strive to build a better life for their people. This resonance is not merely rhetorical; it reflects a shared understanding of the challenges and aspirations that define the developing world.
The implications of this alignment are significant. As the video reflects, for people across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, development is not an abstract concept but concrete improvements, from a paved road to a new job. By championing a people-centered approach and South-South cooperation, China positions itself as a partner in addressing these tangible needs. The BRICS framework, with its emphasis on sharing technology and skills, offers a counterpoint to traditional Western-dominated development models. As nations come together for this common goal, the paths to development and modernization open up to more possibilities, potentially reshaping global economic and political dynamics in favor of greater inclusivity and mutual benefit.
The 2026 BRICS Summit thus served as a reaffirmation of the bloc's commitment to multilateralism and sustainable growth, with China's development philosophy providing a unifying narrative. As Global South countries continue to seek pathways to prosperity, the principles of self-reliance, solidarity, and people-centered governance articulated at the summit are likely to gain further traction, influencing international cooperation and governance for years to come.
