Ajit Doval to chair BRICS security advisors’ meet in India on June 22

Published 2026-06-21 · Updated 2026-06-21 · 3 min · 389 words

UPSC CSE Context

Why in News: India hosts BRICS NSA meeting chaired by Ajit Doval on June 22-23, 2026. Syllabus Connection: International Relations: Bilateral/regional groupings, India's foreign policy, and non-traditional security challenges. Exam Relevance: Relevant for questions on India's role in BRICS, counter-terrorism cooperation, and technology security. ## Core Issue BRICS NSAs discuss non-traditional security challenges and prepare for September summit. Key Development: India chairs BRICS NSA meeting focusing on non-traditional security and technology threats. Stakeholders:

• China
• Russia
• Iran
• BRICS member states ## Static Knowledge High-Value Background:
• India holds the rotating presidency of BRICS in 2026. Concepts in Context:
• Non-traditional security challenges: threats beyond military, such as terrorism, cyberattacks, pandemics, and climate change.
• BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and ICT Security: mechanisms for cooperation on specific security issues. Institutions and Mechanisms:
• BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting: forum for high-level security dialogue among member states.
• BRICS Summit: annual leaders' meeting; 2026 summit to be held in India. ## Dynamic Analysis ### International Relations
• India's hosting of the NSA meeting signals its intent to shape BRICS security agenda amid global power shifts.
• Focus on non-traditional security allows BRICS to address common threats without delving into contentious geopolitical issues.
• The meeting prepares political groundwork for the September summit, indicating BRICS' institutional continuity. ### Security
• Discussion on new technologies in emerging security threats reflects growing concern over cyber warfare, AI, and disinformation.
• Non-traditional security framing enables cooperation on issues like terrorism and cybercrime where consensus is easier. ### Governance
• India's presidency provides an opportunity to showcase its leadership in multilateral security governance.
• The meeting's outcomes may influence BRICS' institutional mechanisms for security cooperation.
• Inclusion of new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, etc.) expands the grouping's security dialogue diversity. ## Mains Value Addition Arguments:
• BRICS NSA meeting demonstrates India's proactive role in shaping global security discourse beyond traditional alliances.
• The meeting's outcomes can enhance BRICS' credibility as a security dialogue platform. Counterpoints:
• BRICS security cooperation may remain limited due to divergent strategic interests among members.
• Non-traditional security focus could be seen as avoiding hard security issues like territorial disputes. ## Way Forward
• India should leverage its presidency to institutionalize BRICS security cooperation through regular working groups.
• Focus on concrete outcomes like joint cyber drills and counter-terrorism information sharing.
• Ensure inclusivity of new members in security dialogues to maintain cohesion.
• Balance non-traditional security discussions with space for addressing traditional security concerns if needed.

Primary/reference source: National Affairs