The 18th BRICS Summit officially commenced at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This high-profile gathering saw the participation of heads of state and delegations from 21 countries. The summit began formally following an address by Prime Minister Modi, where he articulated a vision for a more inclusive global order. He noted that while currently only a few countries make major global decisions, it's imperative that everyone's voice is heard. He emphasized that within BRICS, all members hold equal rights and clarified that the group isn't directed against any specific nation.
Grand Welcome and Symbolic Gestures
At Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed each head of state. A significant cultural touch was the backdrop of the Rameshwaram Temple, against which the Prime Minister posed for photographs with the visiting leaders. During these interactions, PM Modi shared insights about the historical and spiritual significance of the Rameshwaram Temple with leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following the initial ceremonies, the member nations issued a joint declaration, signaling consensus on a wide range of global issues. The members collectively voiced their opposition to unilateral military actions and expressed concerns regarding the tariff policies of the United States, while Plus, they pledged to work together for mutual development and cooperation.
Highlights of the Delhi Declaration 2026
The Delhi Declaration 2026 outlined the core spirit of BRICS, emphasizing mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, and consensus. In the expanded BRICS framework, cooperation is focused on three primary pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people contact. A major theme was the strengthening of the voice of the Global South, while the declaration called for greater participation of developing and emerging market economies (EMDCs) in global institutions. It stressed the need for increased representation of Africa, Asia, and Latin America in global decision-making processes, positioning BRICS as a leading platform for the Global South.
Institutional Reforms and Global Governance
The summit participants reiterated their demand for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), while the goal is to make the UNSC more democratic, representative, and effective. Notably, the declaration supported the claims of India and Brazil for a larger role in the UNSC, while both China and Russia specifically reiterated their support for India and Brazil's enhanced roles. On top of that, there was a call to increase the representation of developing countries and women in top UN positions. Regarding global economic institutions, the members demanded an increase in the share and voice of developing nations in the IMF and World Bank. They urged for the governance structures of the Bretton Woods institutions to be updated to reflect the current global economy, specifically calling for an increase in the IMF quota and voting power for developing countries.
Trade, WTO, and Sanctions
The BRICS nations emphasized the importance of strengthening the World Trade Organization (WTO) and maintaining a rules-based global trading system. They expressed serious concern over unilateral tariff and non-tariff barriers, noting that protectionism harms global trade and supply chains, while the declaration called for the full restoration of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism and supported the membership bids of Ethiopia and Iran. On top of that, the group strongly opposed unilateral sanctions and secondary sanctions imposed against international law, stating that such measures adversely affect ordinary people, food security, health, and development.
Global Security and Conflict Resolution
Addressing rising geopolitical tensions and polarization, the BRICS leaders advocated for dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation to resolve conflicts. They emphasized the importance of conflict prevention and addressing root causes. Deep concern was expressed regarding nuclear risks, with a call to strengthen nuclear disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation frameworks. The members also supported efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space.
Stance on Middle East and Regional Issues
The declaration took a clear stand on the situation in Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. The leaders opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians and any attempts to change the demographic or geographic status of Gaza. They reiterated support for Palestine's full membership in the UN and advocated for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure was highlighted, and the use of starvation as a method of war was condemned, while support was also extended to the mandate of UNRWA. Regarding Lebanon, the leaders welcomed the ceasefire and called for the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, respecting Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also emphasized the safety of UNIFIL personnel. On Syria, the group supported its sovereignty and independence, advocating for a Syrian-led and UN-facilitated political process while expressing concern over foreign terrorist fighters. For Sudan, they called for an immediate ceasefire and a political solution based on the principle of 'African solutions to African problems'.
Condemnation of Terrorism
In a significant move, the BRICS joint statement, including Russia and China, condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, while the member nations agreed to take collective action against those who provide sanctuary to terrorists. They also reached a consensus on blocking funding to terrorists and taking action against those who provide them with safe havens.
Bilateral Engagements: Modi and Xi Jinping
Beyond the main summit, bilateral meetings were a key feature. Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit was particularly notable as President Xi arrived in India after a gap of 7 years. During the summit, Xi Jinping stated that BRICS nations must work together and set aside private interests for the Global South to emerge as a new superpower. The security arrangements for the Chinese President in Delhi drew public attention, especially his 'Red Flag' high-security cars which were kept under black covers to protect sensitive technical information about the vehicles.
Meeting with the Iranian President
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement following the meeting between PM Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while mEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the thousands of years of friendly relations between India and Iran. He stated that India believes issues related to Iran should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Symbolism and Economic Discussions
In a symbolic gesture, PM Modi, along with other BRICS leaders, planted a Banyan tree in New Delhi. He described the tree as a symbol of the group's growing strength, deep roots, and shared future, while the leaders also visited the 'Bharat Innovates' exhibition at Bharat Mandapam. On the economic front, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, clarified that there is currently no proposal to launch a common BRICS currency. Instead, the focus remains on local currency settlement for trade to reduce transaction costs and complement global payment systems. This approach is seen as a practical mechanism to improve the efficiency of global trade between member nations.
Conclusion and Gala Dinner
The first day concluded with a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi at approximately 7:30 PM for the global leaders and delegates. Attendees included President Putin, President Xi Jinping, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other heads of state. Earlier, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, departed from India after participating in the summit activities.