S.M. Hali
S.M. HaliAt the 2026 BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a timely and consequential message. Amid geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation, technological competition and persistent development disparities, he presented BRICS not as a challenger to the existing order, but as a force for stability, inclusiveness and shared prosperity.
Xi’s central proposition was that BRICS should become an “active, stabilising and positive force in international affairs.” More significantly, he observed that “the Global South, with its collective rise, has become a key driver of world multipolarity” and urged BRICS members to “seize the historical initiative, rally the Global South, and advance the well-being of all humanity.” These remarks encapsulated the strategic essence of his address: BRICS should serve as a platform for cooperation, development and reform rather than geopolitical confrontation.
This emphasis is especially significant because, as BRICS expands in membership and influence, some Western observers increasingly portray it as an anti-Western coalition. Xi sought to dispel that perception by championing multilateralism, inclusiveness and shared development over bloc politics. The bloc’s strength lies not in opposing any country or alliance but in amplifying the collective voice of the Global South.
The growing appeal of BRICS reflects a recognition that post-Second World War governance structures no longer adequately represent contemporary realities. Developing nations seek greater representation and fairness, not disruption. Xi’s call for a more inclusive international order directly addresses this imbalance.
Among China’s five proposals, placing open-source and inclusive artificial intelligence cooperation first was especially significant. By prioritising AI, China signalled that developing countries must become active participants, not passive consumers, in the next technological revolution.
Xi’s proposal for an open-source AI community reflects the belief that technological advancement should not remain concentrated in a handful of countries or corporations. If access to AI remains restricted, the digital divide may widen further. Broader participation, by contrast, could transform AI into a powerful instrument of inclusive development. Nations shaping AI today will inevitably influence the economic and social architecture of tomorrow.
The challenge, however, lies in implementation. BRICS members differ significantly in technological capabilities, regulatory frameworks and digital infrastructure. Xi’s proposals offer a practical roadmap through training programmes, technology exchanges, joint research initiatives, digital-skills development and engineer cultivation. Open-source platforms can help emerging technological ecosystems benefit from innovations developed elsewhere, while dialogue on AI governance can promote regulatory convergence without imposing uniformity.
The guiding principle is complementarity. Each member contributes its comparative strengths while benefiting from collective expertise, thereby strengthening innovation, resilience and trust.
Xi’s initiatives also suggest that BRICS is entering a new phase. Historically, the bloc functioned primarily as a forum for political consultation and economic dialogue. The emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital industries, smart manufacturing, investment facilitation and talent development points towards deeper economic and technological integration.
This evolution reflects the realities of an era in which growth is increasingly driven by innovation, digital connectivity and resilient supply chains. If implemented effectively, these initiatives could strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation and demonstrate that the bloc can move from declarations to delivery.
Yet a gap remains between Xi’s strategic vision and the summit’s final communiqué. While the New Delhi Declaration reflected broad consensus, it gave less prominence to themes central to Xi’s address, including open-source AI cooperation, technological inclusivity, global governance reform and transforming the rise of the Global South into greater institutional influence. The declaration reflected diplomatic compromise; Xi’s speech offered a more ambitious roadmap.
Xi also underscored a broader historical shift: the rise of the Global South. Developing countries account for an increasing share of global growth, trade and innovation, yet remain underrepresented in major international institutions. To translate economic weight into political influence, cohesion will be essential.
Individually, even large developing states face limitations in advancing reform. Collectively, however, BRICS possesses considerable demographic, economic and diplomatic leverage. Coordinated positions on trade, finance, technological governance and United Nations reform can help make international institutions more reflective of contemporary realities. Influence, after all, follows cohesion. A fragmented Global South will struggle to shape the future; a coordinated one can become a rule-maker rather than merely a rule-taker.
Ultimately, Xi’s speech reflected an understanding that the international system is undergoing profound transformation. The future relevance of BRICS will depend less on its capacity to challenge existing powers than on its ability to offer practical solutions to shared global challenges. Its success will be measured not by rhetoric but by tangible benefits delivered to developing nations seeking a more equitable share of global opportunity.
The summit’s broader message was unmistakable: the Global South is no longer merely seeking a seat at the table; it is increasingly helping redesign the table itself. While the New Delhi Declaration captured the spirit of cooperation, Xi’s address reached further, envisioning a BRICS that shapes technological innovation, advances more representative governance and converts economic weight into institutional influence.
In that endeavour, BRICS may emerge as one of the most consequential platforms of the twenty-first century, provided it remains committed to inclusiveness, cooperation and shared development. The vision has been articulated; the challenge now is to translate it into measurable achievement.
