New Delhi, September 13, 2026: BRICS leaders have adopted the New Delhi Declaration after intense negotiations over the conflict in West Asia, with India helping bridge differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and secure consensus among the grouping’s 11 members.
The declaration was adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi from September 12 to 13 under India’s chairship. The 45-page document contains 140 paragraphs covering international security, Gaza, terrorism, trade, tariffs, financial cooperation, artificial intelligence, health, agriculture, climate change and reform of global institutions.
The agreement was particularly significant because BRICS foreign ministers failed to reach a joint statement during their May meeting in New Delhi, with differences between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict preventing consensus. Indian officials subsequently worked to bridge those differences during negotiations ahead of the leaders’ summit.
BRICS finds common ground on West Asia
The most difficult issue in the negotiations was the language on the escalating conflict in West Asia.
The final declaration does not adopt the specific positions sought by individual members. Instead, it acknowledges the different national positions of BRICS members and calls for “maximum restraint” and avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation.
In paragraph 28, the leaders express deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and West Asia. They call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and greater reliance on dialogue and diplomacy.
The declaration also stresses the importance of maintaining the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy in accordance with international law.
The compromise followed several days of difficult negotiations. Indian officials worked to bridge the gap between Iran and the UAE, while senior BRICS negotiators from the 11 member countries held intensive discussions over the final wording.
The diplomatic breakthrough was accompanied by a significant bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Gaza and Palestine feature prominently
The New Delhi Declaration also devotes several paragraphs to the situation in Gaza.
BRICS leaders called for the maintenance of the ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. They expressed concern over continuing violence despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement and called for an end to policies aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians.
The declaration reaffirms support for a two-state solution and for Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations. It calls for the establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state within the internationally recognised 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
BRICS also condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the use of starvation as a method of warfare and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
The declaration further welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon and calls for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Ukraine is not mentioned in the declaration
One notable feature of the document is what it does not mention.
The 45-page New Delhi Declaration contains no reference to Ukraine, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or related sanctions by name.
This is significant because Russia is a BRICS member and the Ukraine war has previously featured prominently in international discussions involving the grouping.
Instead, the declaration uses broader language supporting dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Pahalgam attack condemned
Terrorism remains a major issue in the declaration, with BRICS leaders reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.
The document specifically condemns the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. It also calls for action against terrorist financing, safe havens and the cross-border movement of terrorists.
The declaration says terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and calls for zero tolerance and an end to double standards in countering terrorism.
The reference is important for India because it marks the second consecutive BRICS declaration to specifically name the Pahalgam attack.
BRICS criticises tariffs and unilateral sanctions
Trade and economic policy occupy a substantial portion of the declaration.
BRICS leaders expressed serious concern over the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, saying such measures can distort trade, disrupt global supply chains and create uncertainty for the world economy.
The declaration also condemns unilateral coercive measures, including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions that it says are contrary to international law.
It calls for the elimination of such measures and opposes sanctions that are not authorised by the UN Security Council.
The language is notable because the declaration does not explicitly name US President Donald Trump, despite repeated references to tariffs and protectionist trade measures. The document’s approach is an indirect response to the current tariff environment.
BRICS also opposed unilateral, punitive and protectionist carbon border adjustment mechanisms, an issue of particular importance to developing economies.
No common BRICS currency announced
Financial cooperation was another important part of the summit, but the declaration does not create a common BRICS currency.
Instead, BRICS members agreed to continue exploring practical solutions for cross-border payments and to study the interoperability of payment and messaging systems.
The declaration also supports discussions on trade settlements and investments using BRICS local currencies, while recognising that countries may follow different approaches depending on their national priorities.
The BRICS Payment Task Force will continue work aimed at developing cross-border payment arrangements that are faster, cheaper, more accessible, efficient, transparent and secure.
WTO reform and greater voice for developing economies
The declaration calls for reform of the World Trade Organization and supports a more open, predictable and inclusive multilateral trading system.
BRICS leaders also backed greater representation for emerging markets and developing economies in global financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank.
China’s expansion of zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations was also acknowledged in the declaration.
The document additionally supports the bids of Iran and Ethiopia to join the WTO.
AI and digital infrastructure become major priorities
Artificial intelligence features prominently in the New Delhi Declaration.
BRICS leaders recognised AI’s potential to support economic growth and sustainable development while calling for international cooperation to ensure that AI is safe, secure, inclusive and reliable.
The declaration also supports greater accessibility to AI resources, AI research and innovation, and cooperation on trustworthy AI, particularly for countries of the Global South.
India’s 2026 chairship also saw the establishment of the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies, which is intended to support cooperation in Industry 4.0 and advanced digital production technologies.
The declaration also notes a proposal for a BRICS digital public infrastructure repository and cooperation on digital skills and capacity building.
Health cooperation expands
Health is another major area of practical cooperation.
BRICS leaders welcomed the establishment of an integrated early-warning system for mass infectious diseases and endorsed stronger cooperation on surveillance, preparedness and response.
The declaration also supports a BRICS Training Hub Network and Network of Centres of Excellence for mental health, with NIMHANS serving as the coordinating centre.
The initiative is intended to facilitate research, policy dialogue, exchange of best practices and development of evidence-based approaches to mental health.
Agriculture and food security
Agriculture also received significant attention.
BRICS leaders highlighted food security, nutrition and the need to address supply disruptions, including shortages of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers.
The declaration supports further work on a proposed BRICS Grain Exchange and welcomes the establishment of BRICS AGRIN, a collaborative and farmer-centric network covering agro-inputs, genetic resources and information.
It also welcomes a Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems and cooperation on agroecology, regenerative agriculture and digital agriculture.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen agricultural resilience and improve cooperation among BRICS economies.
Space, transport and maritime cooperation
The summit also produced agreements and initiatives beyond traditional economic and political areas.
The declaration welcomes progress on the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation and the drafting of terms of reference for a BRICS Space Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also proposed a Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network, designed to provide assistance including distress alerts, medical support, family communication and evacuation assistance to seafarers.
Transport cooperation, including civil aviation and resilient infrastructure, also features in the declaration.
Climate change and energy
BRICS reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement and called for greater climate cooperation while emphasising the particular challenges faced by developing economies.
The declaration opposes unilateral, punitive and discriminatory carbon-border measures and calls for greater climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries.
The document also stresses the need to balance climate action with development, energy security and the specific circumstances of emerging and developing economies.
A bigger BRICS faces a harder test
The New Delhi summit underlined both the growing importance and the internal complexity of BRICS.
The grouping now comprises 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The expansion has increased BRICS’ economic and geopolitical reach but has also brought countries with sharply different strategic interests into the same forum.
The Iran-UAE negotiations demonstrated the challenge. Yet the successful adoption of a joint declaration showed that the members could still find common language on sensitive issues.
The declaration itself says BRICS will continue cooperation through three broad pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
What the New Delhi Declaration means for India
For India, the summit offered an opportunity to position itself as a bridge between countries with competing geopolitical interests while advancing its own priorities on terrorism, development, trade, technology and global governance.
The successful negotiations on West Asia are particularly significant after the failure to reach a joint statement at the May BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. India’s role in bringing Iran and the UAE towards consensus has therefore emerged as one of the defining diplomatic outcomes of its 2026 chairship.
The summit also placed India’s priorities, including digital public infrastructure, AI, agriculture, health, maritime safety and reform of global institutions, at the centre of the BRICS agenda.
India’s BRICS chairship now concludes with the group reaffirming support for China’s chairship in 2027 and the 19th BRICS Summit in China.
The bigger picture
The New Delhi Declaration does not erase the differences within BRICS. Instead, it shows how the expanded grouping is attempting to manage those differences through carefully negotiated language.
From West Asia and Gaza to tariffs, sanctions, AI, health and food security, the document reflects a BRICS seeking a larger role in global affairs while avoiding positions that could fracture the group.
For India, the ability to deliver consensus on one of the most contentious issues facing its members may be the most important outcome of the 2026 summit.
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