New Delhi/Bhopal, June 23

The meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives began in New Delhi on Tuesday, bringing together senior security officials from member countries to discuss non-traditional security challenges, counter-terrorism cooperation and the growing impact of emerging technologies on global security. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is chairing the meeting under India's BRICS Chairship for 2026.

The gathering comes at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and rapidly evolving security threats. Cyberattacks, information warfare, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection and transnational terrorism are among the key issues expected to feature in the discussions.

The gathering assumes significance because India holds the rotating presidency of the expanded BRICS grouping this year. The bloc now includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The Delhi meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for decisions and discussions that could feature prominently at the leaders' summit on September 12-13.

According to reports the meeting provides an opportunity for BRICS nations to exchange views on the changing global security landscape and explore ways to strengthen cooperation in addressing challenges that increasingly transcend national borders. Delegates are also expected to discuss measures to enhance coordination on information and communication technology security.

The deliberations are taking place within an expanded BRICS framework. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the grouping has grown in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The expansion has widened the bloc's strategic footprint and increased its role in addressing issues concerning the Global South.

Security cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of BRICS engagement alongside economic and development partnerships. Member countries have steadily expanded dialogue on counter-terrorism, cyber security and emerging technologies as new risks reshape national and international security priorities.

The New Delhi meeting is expected to review progress made by various BRICS working groups dealing with security-related issues and identify areas for deeper collaboration. Discussions are also likely to focus on the challenges posed by rapidly advancing technologies and the need for responsible and secure digital ecosystems.

On the sidelines of the meeting, senior officials are expected to hold bilateral interactions to discuss regional developments and matters of mutual interest. Such engagements have traditionally provided an important channel for strategic dialogue among BRICS members.

The outcomes of the meeting are expected to contribute to the broader agenda of India's BRICS Chairship and feed into future ministerial and leaders' level discussions. As global security challenges continue to evolve, the deliberations in New Delhi are likely to shape the grouping's approach towards counter-terrorism, cyber resilience and emerging security threats in the years ahead.