The year 2026 presents India with a powerful dual mandate on the world stage, offering a unique opportunity to actively shape global discourse and counter persistent criticism. The nation is set to assume the chairmanship of two significant international bodies: the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the expanded BRICS+ grouping. This concurrent leadership role arrives at a critical juncture, challenging India to demonstrate its democratic credentials and steer a crucial economic bloc towards constructive pluralism.
A Platform to Showcase Democratic Resilience
India's journey to chair the International IDEA, a 35-member intergovernmental body promoting democratic values, was a long one. Despite being a member since 1995, it took three decades for the chairmanship to come to New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar formally received the gavel in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 3, 2025.
This role is particularly significant as India's democratic institutions, including the Election Commission of India (ECI), have faced intense scrutiny from Western-backed indices like the V-Dem project, Freedom House, and the Economist Intelligence Unit's democracy index. These reports, dismissed by New Delhi as politically motivated propaganda, have painted a negative picture. As chair, India now possesses a formal platform to counter this narrative. The onus will be on the ECI and other government stakeholders to co-opt institutions and set the record straight, transforming the chairmanship from a symbolic post into a demonstration of electoral integrity and inclusive governance.
Steering BRICS+ Through Turbulent Waters
Almost simultaneously, India's BRICS sherpa, Sudhakar Dalela, accepted the chairmanship of BRICS for 2026 during a meeting in Brasília on December 11-12, 2025. As a founding member alongside Russia and China, this will be India's fourth time leading the bloc, having previously chaired in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
However, the bloc India now leads is markedly different. Recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE—with Saudi Arabia considering an invitation—the "BRICS+" format has grown. While seen by many as an antidote to Western hegemony, this expansion risks creating an unwieldy group. A more profound challenge is the bloc's gradual shift from a "non-Western" to an "anti-Western" posture, driven primarily by Russia and China. Their push for initiatives like de-dollarisation and an alternative financial platform has caused discomfort for members like India, which successfully opposed such moves in the past.
The Path Forward: Infusing an Indian Vision
The task for Indian diplomacy is clear: to steady the wobbling BRICS+ and provide it with a coherent, positive direction. The group must move beyond reactive opposition to the West and build a narrative based on pluralism, national sovereignty, and sustainable development that resonates with both the Global South and developed nations. This mirrors the strategy employed during India's highly successful G20 presidency in 2023, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi infused the agenda with a distinct Indian vision.
With US President Donald Trump openly criticizing BRICS as an anti-American bloc, India's moderating influence will be vital. The goal should be to ensure BRICS+ evolves as a constructive forum for shaping a new, more equitable world order, rather than a factional axis.
In conclusion, 2026 is not merely about holding two prestigious chairs. It is a strategic test. Leading International IDEA allows India to proactively display the robustness of its democracy. Guiding BRICS+ offers a chance to champion inclusive multilateralism. Embracing both responsibilities with the seriousness they demand can solidify India's role as a principled and influential global leader.
