Brazil Hands Over BRICS Chair to India for 2026 Summit

Key facts

• Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit earlier this year.
• India will assume the BRICS chair for 2026.
• Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin stated: "BRICS is not aimed against any country" and "not to replace the US dollar".
• Alckmin confirmed President Lula’s visit to India is scheduled for February 2026.
• Brazil and India are exploring defence cooperation in aerospace, naval projects and joint research.
• Brazil is evaluating India’s Akash missile system; discussions include joint production and technology transfer.
• Brazil and India are working on interoperability between India’s UPI and Brazil’s PIX digital payment systems.
• Brazil has announced a business e-visa for Indian travellers; system launch date not specified.
• Both governments target direct India-Brazil flights by end-2026.
• Brazil became the second BRICS member after India to decline joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative.