English
English
English
BRICS leaders adopt New Delhi Declaration 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. (Img: X/BRICS2026)
New Delhi: The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi witnessed a major diplomatic milestone on Saturday as member nations unanimously approved the New Delhi Declaration 2026, strengthening the grouping’s role in addressing some of the biggest challenges confronting the global community.
The adoption of the declaration came at a time when the world is facing multiple crises, including geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and growing tensions over international trade policies.
Hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the summit brought together leaders from major emerging economies, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of BRICS nations.
The successful consensus on the declaration highlighted India’s diplomatic efforts to bridge differences among member countries and bring diverse viewpoints onto a common platform.
The approval of the New Delhi Declaration followed extensive discussions among BRICS members, with negotiations continuing over sensitive issues related to global conflicts, trade policies and regional security challenges.
India, holding the BRICS chairmanship in 2026, played a crucial role in building consensus among nations with different strategic priorities. The agreement gained importance because BRICS has expanded beyond its original five-member structure and is now positioning itself as a stronger voice for emerging economies across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
The summit theme, Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, reflected India’s focus on economic stability, technological advancement, inclusive growth and long-term global partnerships.
One of the most significant aspects of the New Delhi Declaration was BRICS’ united position against terrorism. The member countries strongly opposed terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, terror financing networks and safe havens that allow extremist groups to operate.
The declaration also condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and called for accountability against those responsible for terrorist activities.
BRICS nations stressed that terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, nationality or community and highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation to tackle terror networks.
The grouping also reiterated support for efforts towards a comprehensive global framework against terrorism through international institutions.
The declaration placed significant emphasis on preventing conflicts and resolving disputes through diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
BRICS leaders highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes behind conflicts instead of allowing prolonged instability to impact civilians and economies.
On the Gaza conflict, the declaration called for humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians and efforts towards a peaceful resolution. The grouping supported diplomatic efforts for a two-state solution and opposed actions that could worsen humanitarian concerns or create further instability in the region.
A major political message from the BRICS summit was the demand for reforms in global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. The declaration called for a more representative international system that reflects current global economic and political realities.
BRICS members supported greater participation of developing nations from regions including Africa, Asia and Latin America in global decision-making structures.
The document also highlighted the need for reforms in international financial institutions, including changes in representation, voting power and leadership structures. India has consistently argued that global institutions created decades ago must evolve to reflect the growing influence of emerging economies.
The declaration strengthened BRICS’ focus on giving developing nations a larger role in shaping global policies. The summit highlighted that countries contributing significantly to global economic growth should also have a stronger role in deciding international rules.
The discussions focused on creating a more balanced global governance framework where developing nations are not only impacted by decisions but also participate in making them. The leaders also discussed future technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cyberspace and advanced digital systems, stressing that emerging economies must have equal participation in shaping regulations for these sectors.
Economic issues remained another major focus area during the summit. The New Delhi Declaration expressed concern over rising unilateral tariffs, trade restrictions and protectionist measures that could affect global commerce.
BRICS members warned that unfair trade barriers could disrupt supply chains, increase economic uncertainty and negatively impact developing economies. The grouping reaffirmed support for an open, transparent and rules-based international trading system.
BRICS leaders also backed reforms within the World Trade Organization to make global trade systems more responsive to the needs of emerging markets.
The declaration highlighted the importance of strengthening economic cooperation among BRICS countries. Member nations discussed expanding trade settlements through local currencies and improving financial connectivity between emerging economies.
The move is aimed at increasing economic resilience, reducing transaction challenges and creating stronger alternatives within the global financial ecosystem. BRICS continues to explore ways to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure development and digital finance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the importance of protecting global maritime routes and ensuring the safety of seafarers. India proposed the creation of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network to provide assistance during maritime emergencies.
The proposed mechanism would connect maritime authorities and diplomatic missions to support sailors facing crises, including medical emergencies, communication difficulties and evacuation requirements. The proposal gained significance amid increasing concerns over maritime security and disruptions affecting major global shipping routes.
The adoption of the New Delhi Declaration comes as BRICS completes two decades since its formation and enters a new phase of international influence. Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the grouping has expanded with the inclusion of additional emerging economies.
With its growing membership, BRICS now represents a significant share of the global population, economic activity and international trade. The summit demonstrated the grouping’s ambition to become a stronger platform for economic cooperation and political dialogue among developing nations.
The next challenge for BRICS will be converting the commitments made in the New Delhi Declaration into practical outcomes. The effectiveness of the agreement will depend on cooperation among member countries on issues including economic reforms, technology partnerships, security challenges and global institutional changes.
As global power dynamics continue to shift, the New Delhi Declaration could become an important milestone in BRICS’ effort to reshape international cooperation and strengthen the voice of emerging economies.
