Beijing Signals Support for Reform Agenda as India Prepares to Lead BRICS in 2026

• China publicly backs deeper BRICS cooperation ahead of India’s 2026 chairship.

• Beijing supports India’s push to reform global institutions like the UN, IMF and WTO.

• Signal delivered via Chinese envoy’s repost of India’s BRICS 2026 launch.

• India stresses multilateral reform, economic cooperation and strengthening the NDB.

• People-to-people exchanges to be a key focus under India’s leadership.

China has publicly indicated its backing for closer cooperation within BRICS and voiced support for India’s call to overhaul global governance institutions, as New Delhi gears up to take over the group’s chairship in 2026.

The signal came this week through a social media post by Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, who reshared External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s announcement marking the unveiling of the BRICS India 2026 website, logo and theme. The gesture was widely read as an expression of Beijing’s readiness to engage with fellow members in advancing what it described as a stronger and more effective BRICS framework.

Timing and significance of China’s message

In his post on X, Xu said China was prepared to work alongside other countries to promote what he termed the “high-quality development” of expanded BRICS cooperation. He linked this to the pursuit of a more balanced multipolar world order and a form of economic globalisation that is inclusive and broadly beneficial.

The timing of the message has drawn attention, coming as India places renewed emphasis on reforming international institutions. While New Delhi and Beijing have often agreed in principle on the need for change within multilateral bodies, they have not always aligned on how quickly or in what manner such reforms should be pursued.

India’s case for reshaping global institutions

Earlier the same day, Jaishankar addressed the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo and outlined India’s priorities for its upcoming chairship. He argued that the current global system was facing significant stress and no longer reflected present-day realities, making institutional reform unavoidable.

Pointing to organisations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Jaishankar said these bodies must evolve to become more representative and inclusive if they are to retain credibility and effectiveness.

Role of the New Development Bank

Economic cooperation also featured prominently in India’s remarks. Jaishankar highlighted the New Development Bank (NDB) as an increasingly important platform for financing infrastructure projects and supporting sustainable development across BRICS countries.

He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the bank’s financial health and credibility, underscoring New Delhi’s continued support for BRICS-led economic institutions as practical tools rather than symbolic initiatives.

Emphasis on people-to-people engagement

Looking ahead to India’s chairship, Jaishankar said fostering closer people-to-people ties would be a key priority. Proposed areas of focus include youth exchanges, culture, education, sports, tourism and academic collaboration.

He also reiterated India’s view that BRICS is meant to complement the wider multilateral system, not replace it, and should continue to be guided by principles such as sovereign equality, mutual respect and consensus-based decision-making.

An expanded BRICS and higher expectations

China’s public endorsement comes against the backdrop of rapid expansion within BRICS. Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, the group added South Africa in 2011. In 2024, it expanded further to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia became a full member in January 2025, alongside a growing circle of partner countries.

With its membership broader and more diverse than ever, BRICS now faces heightened expectations. India’s leadership in 2026 will be closely watched as a test of whether the bloc can translate shared rhetoric into coordinated positions on global governance reform—an area where overt signals of alignment from Beijing are likely to carry particular significance.