MEA mulls BRICS tableau in 2026 R-Day Parade

The Tribune has learnt that the government is planning a dedicated tableau showcasing the expanded grouping’s identity, outreach and India’s role within it in the next year’s R-Day parade.

According to officials, the Ministry of External Affairs has initiated a large-scale branding and publicity plan ahead of India taking over the BRICS chair on January 1, 2026. The proposed tableau is part of a broader strategy to familiarise domestic and international audiences with the grouping’s priorities and India’s leadership agenda.

The MEA’s Summits Division has already floated a proposal to select a creative and branding agency tasked with conceptualising a comprehensive campaign for 2026.

The chosen agency will design a multilayered outreach plan -- spanning traditional and digital media -- and craft customised public events across the country to build engagement around BRICS.

As part of the indicative activities prepared by the ministry, officials are considering a wide range of public-facing initiatives: a BRICS-themed kite festival, holographic displays of the BRICS logo in major cities, interactive quizzes, LED screens for publicity at kick-off events, drone-swarm shows and the use of VR/AR-driven immersive experiences.

The logo may also be projected through ecological diyas during Diwali, on modes of public transportation, including metros, state buses and railways, and even on airlines ferrying delegates.

The outreach effort is expected to extend into India’s festival calendar, with BRICS branding proposed for state-level cultural events such as the Kerala boat festival, Odisha’s International Sand Art Festival and the Goa Carnival.

Tie-ups with major food festivals, including Delhi’s Grub Fest and the Asian Hawkers Market, are also under discussion for BRICS-themed culinary showcases.

A “Light Up India” initiative to illuminate national landmarks, as well as city-scale projection mapping and sky mapping, are part of the plan.

Besides, the MEA intends to prominently highlight India’s achievements in space, innovation and the start-up ecosystem as part of the branding effort.

Sources said the idea was to project a strong image of India’s BRICS presidency and permeate it among citizens of all age groups from rural to urban India, while simultaneously showcasing ‘Brand India’ to global audiences, especially the diaspora and member-countries.

BRICS, which now comprises of 11 full members and 10 partner countries, will witness intense diplomatic activity under India’s stewardship. The heads of state of all member and partner nations will be invited for the Leaders’ Summit, likely to be held in August or September 2026.

Before the Leaders’ Summit, two foreign ministers’ meetings, one meeting of national security advisers, four to five Sherpa or Sous-Sherpa meetings and nearly 20 ministerial engagements are planned in this regard.

Key sessions will be hosted in cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

In a parallel development, the NITI Aayog is also eyeing its maiden appearance at the 2026 Republic Day parade. The think-tank has proposed a tableau themed “Samriddhi ka Mantra -- Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, highlighting its flagship Aspirational Districts Programme and the Aspirational Blocks Programme. The proposal is currently under consideration.

If approved, it would mark the first-ever Republic Day tableau for the NITI Aayog, underscoring the government’s push to merge national development narratives with India’s expanding global footprint as it prepares to take centre stage during the BRICS presidency.