India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship Ignites Innovation: The First BRICS Academic Forum Kicks Off a New Track II Era

In the quiet corridors of global diplomacy, a new conversation is taking shape. It is not happening in the high pressure chambers of foreign ministries or in the glare of summit podiums. Instead, it is unfolding in the intellectually charged halls of academia, where ideas are the currency and foresight is the trade. This is the story of the First BRICS Academic Forum, launched by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), marking the beginning of India’s 2026 BRICS chairship.

A New Dawn for Track II Diplomacy

Track II diplomacy is the quiet engine that often powers the grand machinery of international relations. It is the realm of scholars, think tanks, and former diplomats who explore possibilities without the constraints of official positions. The launch of the BRICS Academic Forum is a deliberate stride into this space, designed to cultivate policy ideas that are both resilient and innovative. As India prepares to lead the BRICS bloc in 2026, this forum is not just a preparatory exercise; it is a statement of intent. The message is clear: the future of BRICS must be built on inclusive growth, and that growth must be resilient to the shocks of a rapidly changing world.

Why Resilience and Innovation Matter Now

The world in 2025 is a landscape of layered uncertainties. Geopolitical tensions, climate disruptions, technological upheavals, and economic inequalities are no longer distant threats; they are everyday realities. For BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the new members that joined in 2023 these challenges are both shared and deeply personal. Resilience, in this context, is not just about withstanding shocks. It is about building systems that can adapt, learn, and transform. Innovation is the flip side of the same coin. Without new ideas, new technologies, and new models of cooperation, resilience becomes mere endurance. The Academic Forum is tasked with bridging these two concepts, turning them from abstract ideals into actionable policy frameworks.

The Role of ORF and RIS: Architects of Thought

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is one of India’s most respected think tanks, with a global footprint in policy research and international affairs. The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) is a New Delhi based think tank specializing in development issues and South South cooperation. Their collaboration in launching this forum is no coincidence. Both institutions have long championed the cause of inclusive multilateralism. With India’s 2026 chairship, they are providing the intellectual scaffolding upon which the BRICS agenda can be built. The forum is designed to be a platform where established scholars and emerging voices can interact freely, unencumbered by bureaucratic red tape. It is a place where the raw material of ideas is refined into the polished tools of policy.

Inclusive Growth: The Heart of the Matter

One of the most compelling aspects of the forum’s theme is its emphasis on inclusive growth. In the BRICS context, inclusivity means ensuring that the benefits of cooperation reach not just the powerful industries and governments, but also the small businesses, the rural communities, and the marginalized populations. It means rethinking trade, investment, and technology transfer so that they do not exacerbate existing inequalities. The forum’s discussions will likely delve into areas such as digital inclusion, sustainable infrastructure, health equity, and food security. These are not just policy issues; they are human stories. They are about the farmer in Maharashtra who needs access to climate resilient seeds, the entrepreneur in Johannesburg who cannot get a loan, the student in Brasilia who lacks internet connectivity. Inclusive growth is the promise that BRICS can be a force for lifting all boats, not just the yachts.

Looking Ahead: From Academic Forum to Policy Impact

The true test of any Track II initiative is its ability to influence Track I decisions. The BRICS Academic Forum is not meant to be an ivory tower exercise. Its recommendations, if well crafted, could find their way into the official agenda of the 2026 BRICS Summit. The forum is expected to produce research papers, policy briefs, and joint statements that will be presented to the BRICS Sherpas and relevant ministries. This is a proven model. Many of the ideas that later became BRICS initiatives, from the New Development Bank to the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, had their origins in similar academic and think tank dialogues. The 2026 cycle, under India’s leadership, has a unique opportunity to reinvigorate the bloc with fresh thinking on topics like the digital economy, energy transitions, and global governance reform.

A Story of Continuity and Change

India’s chairship of BRICS in 2026 will not be its first. The country has held the rotational presidency before, in 2012 and 2016. But the world has changed dramatically since then. Back in 2012, BRICS was still a relatively new formation, filled with optimism about the rise of the Global South. By 2016, geopolitical tensions were growing, but the bloc still managed to launch the New Development Bank. Now, as 2026 approaches, the global order is more fragmented than ever. Yet, the need for platforms like BRICS is arguably greater. The Academic Forum represents a conscious effort to inject long term vision into a bloc often criticized for being reactive. It is a recognition that the challenges of the 21st century require not just political will, but deep intellectual investment.

The Human Element

Behind every policy paper and every forum session, there are people. The scholars, the researchers, the young professionals, and the veterans who believe that dialogue can still change the world. The BRICS Academic Forum is a testament to that belief. It is a space where a Russian economist can debate with a Brazilian sociologist, where an Indian technologist can collaborate with a South African urban planner. These interactions, often overlooked by the media, are the seeds of future cooperation. They build trust, dispel stereotypes, and create networks that endure beyond political cycles. In a time when multilateralism is under strain, such people to people connections are more valuable than ever.

Conclusion: The Promise of 2026

As India takes the helm of BRICS in 2026, the First BRICS Academic Forum is a promising start. It signals that the chairship will prioritize substance over spectacle, and long term thinking over short term gains. The focus on resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth is not just a catchy slogan; it is a roadmap for a more equitable and stable world. The ORF and RIS have set the stage. Now, it is up to the global community of scholars and policymakers to rise to the occasion. The world is watching, but more importantly, it is waiting for ideas that can turn the tide of division into a wave of cooperation. The story of BRICS 2026 is just beginning, and the Academic Forum is its opening chapter.