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Flagship · India National Round

BRICS RI Debate 2026

BRICS and the Global South: Reforming Global Governance or Reproducing Existing Inequalities?
  • India

Emerging voices debated the evolving global order — governance, economic justice, development, representation, inequality, peace and security. The India National Champion advances to the Grand Finale in Moscow.

Theme

Reform, or reproduction?

The central theme encouraged participants to critically examine the role of BRICS in shaping the future of the Global South — and to question whether emerging international cooperation can create a more inclusive global order, or reproduce existing inequalities.

Key areas of discussion

Six questions on the global order

  1. 01

    Global governance reform

    Can BRICS effectively reform institutions such as the UN General Assembly and Security Council, or should it establish parallel institutions?

  2. 02

    Economic and financial systems

    Can BRICS reform the IMF and World Bank, or should it develop alternative mechanisms for the Global South?

  3. 03

    Inequality within BRICS

    Does BRICS guarantee equality among its member states, and how do internal power dynamics affect the interests of the Global South?

  4. 04

    Development and implementation

    Are BRICS-led initiatives translating into measurable development outcomes, and where do gaps remain between commitment and delivery?

  5. 05

    Global South representation

    Does BRICS strengthen the collective influence of the Global South, or reproduce new forms of hierarchy?

  6. 06

    Global peace and security

    Can BRICS contribute to the security of its members and the wider Global South, and what role should it play?

The competition

Preliminaries to the final

The India National Championship progressed through preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals, with participants presenting diverse arguments on the future of multilateral cooperation, global governance and the changing balance of power. Seven debaters advanced to the quarter-finals, followed by four speakers in the semi-final stage.

Jury panel

Adjudicated by BRICS experts and practitioners

  • Gleb GalersteinBRICS MGIMO Project Lab
  • Dr. Winmore KusenaMidlands State University
  • NazreenHuman Rights Lawyer and Academic
  • Dr. Constance MotsitsiUniversity of Pretoria
  • Ranaa KamalINJAZ Institute
  • Kamvakazi MyatazaDirector of Operations, SABYA
  • Ahmed HammamHSE University
  • Manasvi ThaparFounder, Candour Legal
  • Vsevolod ChersovBRICS Expert Council, Russia

India National Champion

Rishita Aggarwal

Onward to Moscow

Rishita Aggarwal, pursuing Public Administration at IGNOU, was crowned India National Champion of the BRICS RI Debate 2026 — progressing from the preliminary rounds to the final with clear thinking, strong arguments and composure throughout.

She will represent India at the Grand Finale in Moscow, Russia, in December 2026, a fully funded opportunity to compete in the international finals.

Looking ahead

More than a competition

The BRICS RI Debate is a platform for young voices to engage with questions of power, representation, justice and the future of international cooperation — to question existing structures, challenge assumptions and contribute their perspectives on the future of BRICS and the Global South.

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