Xi Steps Up Push for a ‘Greater BRICS’ as China Seeks More Global Economic Clout

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday proposed new initiatives covering artificial intelligence, trade, digital industries, manufacturing and technology talent as he called for deeper cooperation among the expanded BRICS grouping at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

The proposals were made at a time when China is aiming to enhance BRICS’s role as a platform for economic cooperation among emerging and developing economies.

The Chinese Embassy in South Africa stated that Xi called for stronger industrial and supply-chain links and for the group to expand its market and increase cooperation in new industries.

The summit, which took place from Sept. 12 to 13 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, gathered leaders and delegates from 11 of the BRICS member countries and 10 partner countries under India’s 2026 chairmanship. The chairmanship has been based on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Xi Outlines Five Initiatives for Greater BRICS Cooperation

The success of the “Greater BRICS Initiative” depends on laying a solid foundation for pragmatic cooperation, Xi told the leaders’ closing session, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Xi proposed five initiatives covering AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industries, intelligent manufacturing and science and technology talent development.

On artificial intelligence, China will support the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community and cooperation in developing and applying large language models. Beijing also plans to hold AI seminars and training courses as part of efforts to develop what Xi described as an open AI ecosystem.

On trade and investment, Xi proposed establishing a BRICS special economic zone partnership. China will be hosting the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services in 2027, as stated in the Chinese version.

The aim of the proposal is to reinforce economic ties within the enlarged group, which comprises members at different stages of development, with varying levels of industrial capacity and extent of trade exposure.

Xi advocated that the BRICS countries should keep their industrial and supply chains stable and smooth while expanding a bigger integrated market.

Together with digital-skills training, technology exchanges and industrial cooperation, China has also put forward a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform.

As part of its intelligent manufacturing initiative, Beijing has said that it is willing to help the other BRICS countries to set up smart factories and related standards. A talent initiative would establish a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and a youth exchange program focused on scientific and technological innovation.

Putin Backs Multipolar Global Order

Russian President Vladimir Putin used the summit to argue that the international balance of power is shifting toward emerging centres in the Global South and East.

“The unipolar system of international relations, which served a narrow group of countries, is becoming a thing of the past. The balance of power is shifting in favor of new centers of growth in the Global South and the East,” Putin told the summit, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Putin has previously argued that BRICS should have a greater role in global economic and political governance, including reforms to institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization.

Russia’s stance coincides with Beijing’s stress on a greater role for developing countries, even though the BRICS members do not hold the same views on foreign policy, trade or global governance.

Modi Pushes Global South Representation

At the summit, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concentrated on reforming global governance and enhancing the role of developing countries in international decision-making.

“The Global South must become a ‘rule shaper,'” Modi said, according to the Indian government. He also argued that BRICS had established a distinct identity on the global stage and was not directed against any particular country.

Modi proposed a 10-point roadmap for global governance reform, including greater representation for the Global South in international institutions. He also called for measures to help young diplomats and policymakers from developing countries gain negotiation, legal and policy expertise.

“The Global South must become a ‘rule shaper,'” Modi said, adding that “BRICS has established a distinct identity on the global stage and the grouping is not against anyone,” remarks widely read as a message directed at the U.S. and Western powers.

Modi also said solutions developed within BRICS should be adaptable and accessible beyond the grouping so they can serve the wider Global South.

India’s position places greater emphasis on institutional reform and representation, while China’s summit proposals focused heavily on economic, technological and industrial cooperation.

China Prepares for 2027 BRICS Chairship

China will hold the BRICS chairmanship in 2027, which will give Beijing the chance to promote a number of the initiatives put forward by Xi at the New Delhi summit.

The plans are based upon China’s earlier initiatives to extend BRICS cooperation to areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green industries and special economic zones, and China has likewise advanced the wider ‘BRICS Plus’ method of engaging with developing economies.

BRICS was set up in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, and South Africa became a member in 2011. The group then grew to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates as members, after which Indonesia joined. At present, the group consists of 11 members and 10 partner countries.

The expansion has increased the bloc’s geographic and economic reach but has also added a wider range of national interests that must be reconciled through consensus.

BRICS Reaches Consensus on New Delhi Declaration

The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi BRICS Leaders’ Declaration, according to India’s Prime Minister’s Office.

The declaration addressed global governance, economic cooperation and international security, including developments in West Asia.

The outcome gives India a set of commitments to carry forward at the end of its 2026 chairship, while China will inherit the chairship in 2027 with several new economic and technology initiatives already proposed.

The extent to which those proposals translate into operational programs will depend on agreement among BRICS members and partners and on their implementation during the coming chairship.