The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi concluded with member countries adopting the New Delhi Declaration, a wide-ranging document addressing tariffs, terrorism, the escalating West Asia conflict, global governance and economic cooperation.
The declaration, adopted on September 12, called for “maximum restraint” in West Asia, condemned unilateral trade restrictions and reaffirmed support for a rules-based multilateral trading system. It also strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, and reiterated a “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, including cross-border movement, financing and safe havens.
The agreement was significant because BRICS members, particularly Iran and the UAE, had been divided over how to address the West Asia war. India, which holds the BRICS chair, helped broker consensus after negotiations continued late into the night. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said BRICS was “not against anyone” and called for the grouping to turn its consensus into “concrete results”.
Tariffs, Terrorism Take Centre Stage
The declaration comes at a time of heightened global economic and geopolitical tensions. On trade, BRICS expressed “serious concerns” over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, warning that protectionism could disrupt global supply chains, increase uncertainty and deepen economic inequalities.
The grouping called for reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and a stronger multilateral trading system that better reflects the priorities of developing countries. Members also backed greater use of national currencies for trade settlements and encouraged efforts to make cross-border payments faster and safer.
On terrorism, the declaration strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and reiterated that terrorism cannot be justified regardless of its motivation, location or perpetrators. The leaders called for action against terrorist financing, safe havens and the cross-border movement of terrorists, while stressing that terrorism must not be linked to any religion, nationality or ethnic group.
The reference to Pahalgam was particularly significant as China, a close partner of Pakistan, joined the other BRICS members in condemning the attack without naming Pakistan or endorsing India’s subsequent military response.
West Asia presented perhaps the biggest diplomatic challenge. BRICS leaders expressed “deep concern” over the continuing escalation in the region and called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could worsen the crisis. The declaration also stressed the importance of protecting civilians, respecting sovereignty and creating space for political solutions.
The consensus was reached despite tensions between Iran and the UAE, which have taken sharply different positions during the ongoing conflict. Iran and the UAE’s endorsement of the joint position was therefore seen as an important diplomatic achievement for the bloc and for India’s presidency.
India Pushes Global South
The declaration reflects India’s attempt to position BRICS as a platform for cooperation rather than confrontation. Addressing the summit, PM Modi said India’s chairship had followed a “people-centric and humanity-first approach” and argued that the Global South should move from being a rule-taker to a “rule-shaper”. He also proposed reforms to global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, saying the existing system no longer adequately represents today’s geopolitical realities. India and Brazil received renewed BRICS support for their aspirations for a greater role at the UN.
The summit also placed economic and technological cooperation high on the agenda. BRICS members discussed strengthening trade in local currencies, expanding digital payment systems and increasing local-currency financing through the New Development Bank.
Artificial intelligence was another major focus, with the declaration calling for AI that is accessible, trustworthy, inclusive and suited to the needs of developing nations. Climate and energy also featured prominently, with BRICS opposing the European Union’s carbon border tax while maintaining that fossil fuels would continue to play an important role in developing economies’ energy security.
The adoption of the declaration was itself notable. BRICS foreign ministers had failed to issue a joint statement earlier in 2026, highlighting the divisions within the expanded 11-member grouping. India subsequently worked to bridge differences, particularly over the language on West Asia.
Negotiations reportedly continued until around 4 am before consensus was reached. The outcome gives New Delhi a diplomatic boost, while also demonstrating the difficulty of finding common ground among countries with competing strategic interests.
The New Delhi Declaration, adopted unanimously at the 2026 BRICS Delhi Summit, reflects the confidence of a BRICS that is wider in reach and stronger in purpose.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026
With a focus on innovation, sustainability, people-to-people ties and more, the endeavour is to make cooperation… pic.twitter.com/MtqucBx9AY
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The BRICS declaration is meaningful not simply because countries managed to agree on a document, but because it shows why dialogue remains essential in a deeply divided world. Whether the issue is terrorism, war, tariffs, climate change or inequality, ordinary people ultimately bear the cost when governments choose confrontation over cooperation.
The condemnation of terrorism must remain uncompromising, while responses to conflict must protect civilians and create pathways towards peace rather than deepen cycles of violence. At the same time, a fairer global economic and political order requires developing countries to have a genuine voice in decisions that affect them.
BRICS has considerable influence, but its credibility will depend on whether its commitments translate into action. Can BRICS turn this hard-won consensus into meaningful cooperation that puts peace, human dignity and the interests of ordinary people above geopolitical rivalry?
Also Read: BRICS 2026: Can India Become a Manufacturing Alternative to China for the Global South?
