India Assumes Chairmanship Of BRICS Monday February 15, 2016

India has assumed chairmanship of the influential BRICS bloc comprising 5 countries and having 42 % of the world population and combined a GDP of over USD 16 trillion.

"As on Monday February 15, 201 6 India has assumed the chairmanship of BRICS for the next 11 months," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

India will host the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-China-South Africa) summit later this year date and venue for which has not been yet been finalised.

Russia had the chairmanship of BRICS and it was passed to India.

The 7th BRICS summit was held in the Russian city of Ufa on July 8-9,2015