China on Tuesday publicly signalled support for deeper BRICS cooperation, backing India’s push for reforming global institutions as New Delhi prepares to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026.
The message came after Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong reposted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s post on the launch of the BRICS India 2026 website, logo and theme, underscoring Beijing’s willingness to work with partners on a “greater BRICS”.
China’s message and its timing
In a post on X, Xu said China stood ready to work with other countries to promote “high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation” and contribute to an “equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation”.
China stands ready to work with other parties to promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make new contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. https://t.co/iNLsHI1ig4— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) January 13, 2026
The public repost is notable as it comes at a time when India has been stressing institutional reform within multilateral platforms, an area where New Delhi and Beijing have often shared broad objectives but differed on priorities and pace.
India’s pitch: reforming global institutions
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, speaking at the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, said the global order was under strain and required urgent reform. He called on BRICS to commit to multilateralism that reflects “contemporary realities”.
Speaking at the launch of BRICS India 2026 Website, Logo and Theme. https://t.co/LLZb16y9VA — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 13, 2026
Jaishankar specifically flagged the need for institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to become more representative and inclusive.
Economic cooperation and the NDB
The external affairs minister highlighted the role of the New Development Bank, saying it had emerged as a key instrument for infrastructure financing and sustainable growth within BRICS.
India, he said, remains committed to strengthening the bank as a credible and financially sustainable institution, signalling continuity in New Delhi’s support for BRICS-led economic mechanisms.
People-to-people focus under India’s chairship
Jaishankar said people-to-people exchanges would be a central pillar of India’s BRICS chairship, with emphasis on youth, culture, education, sports, tourism and academic cooperation.
He reiterated that India views BRICS as a constructive platform that complements, rather than replaces, the broader multilateral system, guided by principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and consensus.
China’s endorsement comes as BRICS has rapidly expanded in size and ambition. From its original four members, Brazil, Russia, India and China, the bloc added South Africa in 2011 and expanded further in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE. Indonesia joined as a full member in January 2025, alongside a growing list of partner countries.
With a larger and more diverse membership, India’s 2026 chairship will test whether BRICS can move beyond symbolic alignment to deliver coordinated positions on global governance reforms, an area where public signals of convergence from Beijing carry added weight.
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