BRICS Nations Adopt New Delhi Declaration at 2026 Summit

The 18th BRICS Summit successfully convened in New Delhi, India, on September 12-13, 2026, under India's current chairship for the year. This significant international gathering saw leaders from the now expanded BRICS bloc deliberate on critical global issues, culminating in the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026 on the first day of the summit. India, hosting the summit for the fourth time, guided the proceedings under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed various heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The venue for these high-level discussions and ceremonial events was the Bharat Mandapam convention centre in New Delhi. A major highlight of the summit was the formal adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. This comprehensive document outlined the group's collective stance on a wide array of global challenges and priorities. Among the most prominent points, the Declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, its financing, and the provision of safe havens. It specifically referenced the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating a call for zero tolerance and accountability, and urged for the early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The Declaration also emphasized the importance of preventing conflicts and resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy. Addressing ongoing geopolitical tensions, BRICS leaders expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East, calling for maximum restraint and advocating for a multilateral approach. They urged all parties to uphold the Gaza ceasefire, ensure unhindered humanitarian aid, opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians, and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on the internationally recognized 1967 borders. India played a crucial role in mediating and bridging differences between member states like the UAE and Iran during the intensive negotiations that led to the declaration's consensus. Regarding global economic structures, the BRICS nations addressed concerns over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort international trade. The push for de-dollarization, a recurring topic within the bloc, was approached with caution in the New Delhi Declaration. While some members, like Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, publicly advocated for reducing dependence on the US dollar, the official declaration focused on more pragmatic steps. It emphasized developing interoperable payment systems and increasing local-currency settlement for bilateral trade, rather than explicitly calling for a common BRICS currency or a direct replacement of the US dollar. India, for its part, has consistently supported the greater use of local currencies and more efficient cross-border payment mechanisms, highlighting its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a potential model. Another significant aspect of the 2026 Summit was the discussion surrounding the expansion of BRICS and reform of global governance institutions. The group has seen substantial expansion in recent years. Following the 2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, where Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were invited to join (with Argentina later declining), these new members, along with Indonesia joining in 2025, brought the total number of full BRICS members to eleven by 2026. Additionally, ten partner countries joined BRICS in 2025, further broadening the bloc's reach and influence. The New Delhi Declaration reiterated support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, aiming to make it more democratic, representative, effective, and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries. This aligns with the group's long-standing objective of fostering a more just, equitable, and democratic international and multilateral system. India's presidency also focused on leveraging digital tools for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. The country has been actively promoting Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a key area of cooperation within BRICS. The summit calendar included events such as the BRICS Business Forum and the Bharat Innovates 2026 exhibition, showcasing Indian deep-technology startups and aiming to connect innovation ecosystems within the bloc. Overall, the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi underscored the group's growing importance as a voice for the Global South, its commitment to reforming global governance, and its efforts to foster economic cooperation and sustainable development amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes.

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