By Ambassador C. Rajasekhar

India's Former Ambassador to Cuba, Latin America Specialist

As the 18th BRICS Summit is held in New Delhi in September 2026, Bolivia and Cuba's inclusion in the group as partner countries from the Americas adds political diversity to the grouping and reinforces its wider Global South orientation. This expanded architecture reflects an approach to multipolar diplomacy based on broader and more inclusive engagement. The New Delhi Declaration extended full support to China for its BRICS Chairship in 2027 and the holding of the 19th Summit in China. This transition could provide further space for La Paz and Havana to deepen their engagement with the grouping.

Architecture of Inclusion: Beyond the Core

The evolution of BRICS from a narrow economic grouping into a wider coalition representing a substantial share of the global population and economy has required an innovative diplomatic framework. The partner-country category has served this purpose.

The partner tier can provide a platform for structured participation by countries with varied economic models and governance traditions. By bringing such countries into BRICS engagements, the grouping can broaden its outreach to emerging markets and developing countries while strengthening South-South cooperation.

Perspectives and Expectations

Bolivia and Cuba approach the BRICS ecosystem through distinct national priorities, yet both find common ground under the broader framework of South-South cooperation. Both currently hold official partner-country status, while the New Delhi Declaration encourages greater participation by partner countries in BRICS engagements and practical cooperation in areas of shared interest.

Bolivia's Pragmatic Horizon: La Paz views the framework through a resource-and-trade lens. Possessing significant lithium reserves and an expanding agricultural sector, Bolivia can potentially use its engagement with BRICS to strengthen economic and trade links with major markets such as China and India. The wider BRICS framework also offers opportunities for cooperation in technology, investment and development.

Cuba's Strategic Resistance: Havana views its partnership with BRICS as an important avenue for greater engagement with the Global South. The New Delhi Declaration expressed deep concern over the tightening of unilateral blockade measures against Cuba and their effects on the Cuban economy, energy supplies and the humanitarian situation. It also called for an end to economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba in accordance with the relevant UN General Assembly resolution.

Operational Realities: Trade and Financial Mechanisms

For partner countries, one of the important areas of BRICS cooperation is the development of more efficient cross-border payment mechanisms. The New Delhi Declaration acknowledged the work of the BRICS Payment Task Force on the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative, including discussions on the interoperability of payment and messaging channels and the use of BRICS local currencies for trade settlements and investments.

However, the declaration does not establish a unified BRICS currency or say that these mechanisms have replaced existing international payment systems. Instead, it calls for continued work while recognising national priorities and the absence of a one-size-fits-all approach.

For Cuba, greater cooperation among BRICS countries could potentially widen avenues for economic engagement and trade. For Bolivia, closer participation could support opportunities in areas such as critical minerals, agriculture, technology and supply-chain cooperation.

The New Development Bank also remains an important BRICS institution. The New Delhi Declaration highlighted its growing role in development and infrastructure financing in shareholder countries and the Global South, while encouraging further expansion of NDB membership.

What the New Delhi Declaration Means for the Partners

The New Delhi Declaration gives partner countries a stronger place within the broader BRICS framework. It recognises their contribution to BRICS cooperation and encourages their increasing participation in BRICS engagements and practical cooperation.

For Cuba, the declaration's reference to the economic and humanitarian impact of unilateral blockade measures is significant. For Bolivia, deeper engagement with BRICS could provide additional avenues for economic cooperation with emerging markets.

The declaration also reaffirmed BRICS' broader commitment to greater representation of emerging markets and developing countries in global decision-making structures. This emphasis on a stronger Global South voice is central to the evolving role of BRICS.

Full Membership Trajectory: Prospects

Partner status should not be treated as equivalent to full BRICS membership. The current framework provides opportunities for participation and cooperation while maintaining the distinction between members and partners.

The future evolution of the partner-country mechanism will depend on the consensus of BRICS members and the broader institutional development of the grouping. The New Delhi Declaration itself stresses consensus and welcomes the increasing participation of partner countries, without establishing automatic pathways to full membership or granting partner countries voting or veto rights.

The Road to 2027: Next Chair's View

China will take over the BRICS Chairship in 2027 and host the 19th Summit. For Bolivia and Cuba, the continuation of the partner-country framework could provide further opportunities to engage with BRICS institutions and initiatives.

For Bolivia, deeper engagement can support its interests in areas such as minerals, agriculture, trade and development cooperation. For Cuba, the platform offers an avenue for strengthening ties with emerging economies and expanding its participation in South-South cooperation.

The New Delhi consensus has therefore reinforced the importance of partner countries within the wider BRICS architecture, while leaving the question of any future expansion or change in status to the group's consensus-based process.

This version is the one I would post. I specifically removed/softened the risky claims about BRICS Pay being operational, automatic NDB financing for partners, and voting/veto rights, because the official Declaration does not support those claims as written in the original.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar