Observer Research Foundation and Research and Information System for Developing Countries launch inaugural BRICS Academic Forum on April 17-18, 2026

Key facts

• The inaugural convening of the BRICS Academic Forum was hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) on April 17 and 18, 2026, in New Delhi.
• India assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026, with the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
• The year 2026 marks two decades since the establishment of BRICS.
• The BRICS Academic Forum is a Track II platform designed to generate recommendations for leaders ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
• The Forum will host 13 international speakers and multiple convenings across India and abroad in the coming months.
• Samir Saran serves as the President of ORF and Chair of the BRICS Think Tanks Council, India.
• Sudhakar Dalela is the Secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs and India's BRICS Sherpa.