BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration Adopted Unanimously

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with member countries agreeing on the need for dialogue, diplomacy and greater cooperation on global challenges. “No member has raised any objection. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 is adopted unanimously,” PM Modi said while addressing the summit. The joint declaration called for greater efforts to prevent conflicts, including by addressing their root causes. It also reaffirmed the BRICS countries’ commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy. The declaration stressed the importance of a multilateral approach that takes into account different national positions on key global issues. BRICS leaders also expressed concern over the increasing use of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, saying such steps distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules. The consensus was reached after intensive negotiations that continued until around 4 am on Saturday. Differences over several contentious issues had made the talks challenging, with India holding consultations with member countries to bridge differences and build consensus. The agreement assumes significance as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are all members of BRICS despite differences over several regional and geopolitical issues. Against the backdrop of continuing conflicts and heightened tensions in West Asia , reaching a common position among the three countries posed a significant diplomatic challenge. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under its chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Development, sustainability and innovation are among the key areas of focus during India's BRICS presidency. PM Modi Proposes BRICS Reform Roadmap Earlier, addressing a session on inclusive global governance, PM Modi proposed that BRICS countries jointly prepare 10 proposals for global governance reform, which could eventually be developed into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next summit. “The Global South is today in the front row when it comes to facing global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making,” PM Modi said. He called for transforming what he described as a “pyramid of privilege” into a “platform of partnership”, where every country has a voice, and every member has a stake in global decision-making. The Prime Minister said the proposed roadmap should focus on three areas: representation, responsiveness and rule-making. On representation, PM Modi said reform of the United Nations Security Council could no longer be delayed. He called for text-based negotiations on the issue to be linked to a definite timeline and clear outcomes. He also said voting rights, leadership positions and policy priorities in international financial institutions should better reflect the current global economic situation. “Countries that drive global economic growth should also have an appropriate role in shaping global economic governance,” PM Modi said. On responsiveness, the Prime Minister stressed the need for faster and more effective global responses, particularly in ensuring that assistance reaches people on the ground. India Proposes Seafarers Emergency Support Network Highlighting the role of seafarers in global trade, Modi proposed considering the creation of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network. The proposed network could connect maritime authorities and diplomatic missions of concerned countries to help with distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and evacuation support during emergencies. On rule-making, Modi said countries of the Global South should have a greater role in shaping international rules, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and critical technologies. He said BRICS could help young diplomats and policymakers from Global South countries develop negotiation skills, practical knowledge and legal expertise. “We must make efforts to transform the Global South from a rule-taker into a rule-shaper,” PM Modi said. PM Modi also noted that September 12 is observed by the United Nations as the International Day for South-South Cooperation, saying that advancing such an initiative on a day dedicated to the Global South would have special significance. “India is ready to take the lead on this issue,” he said. BRICS has emerged as an important platform for cooperation among major emerging economies, with its agenda covering development, finance, technology, trade and people-to-people exchanges. The grouping currently comprises 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Also Read: Guwahati: ‘Gunda Tax’ Row Erupts in Khanapara, Commercial Drivers Allege Assault