BRICS issues New Delhi Declaration, as UAE and Iran back down from tough positions

International Relations · 13 September 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

2-minute summary

The 18th BRICS Summit, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, culminated in the adoption of the 'New Delhi Declaration' by the expanded 11-member grouping. Achieving consensus required intense, last-minute diplomatic negotiations, particularly between Iran and the UAE, resulting in a compromise that avoided direct mention of specific military strikes in West Asia while calling for 'maximum restraint'. PM Modi emphasized that BRICS is 'not against anyone' but seeks to take everyone along, countering Western perceptions of the bloc as anti-Western. Key outcomes included India's proposals for a G20-style 'Troika' system for institutional continuity, a seafarer distress network, and a Global South skill development mechanism. Geopolitically, the declaration strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, backed South Africa's ICJ case, supported a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, and called for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms supporting permanent seats for India and Brazil. Economically, the bloc resolved to boost intra-BRICS trade and settle transactions in national currencies, while condemning unilateral Western sanctions.

Why it's in the news

India successfully chaired the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, forging a consensus New Delhi Declaration among the expanded 11-member bloc despite deep geopolitical divisions over West Asia and Ukraine.

Background and context

BRICS began as an acronym (BRIC) coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001 to represent the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. It was formalized as a diplomatic group with its first summit in 2009, and South Africa joined in 2010. In 2023, the bloc initiated a historic expansion, inviting several nations including Iran, the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia, transforming into an 11-member body. BRICS represents a significant share of global GDP and population, positioning itself as a champion of the 'Global South' and advocating for reformed multilateralism, alternative financial institutions (like the New Development Bank), and reduced reliance on the US dollar-dominated global financial system.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 51 — Part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), it directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law.

International organisations

• BRICS — An influential 11-member plurilateral grouping of emerging economies promoting political, security, economic, and cultural cooperation.
• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — The New Delhi Declaration called for its comprehensive reform, explicitly supporting permanent roles for India and Brazil.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) — The declaration expressed support for South Africa's legal proceedings against Israel at the ICJ regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Prelims GS-1 2016 — Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Mains practice: Analyze the geopolitical and economic significance of the 18th BRICS Summit's 'New Delhi Declaration' for the Global South, and discuss how India successfully navigated internal contradictions to achieve consensus.

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (2026) marked a critical juncture for the newly expanded 11-member grouping. The adoption of the New Delhi Declaration highlighted the bloc's growing influence as a representative of the Global South and demonstrated India's diplomatic dexterity in navigating deep geopolitical fault lines.

**Geopolitical and Economic Significance for the Global South:**

• **Reformed Multilateralism:** The declaration strongly advocated for comprehensive UN reforms, specifically endorsing permanent Security Council seats for India and Brazil, thereby challenging the post-WWII Western-centric global order.

• **Strategic Autonomy and Non-Alignment:** PM Modi asserted that BRICS is 'not against anyone,' positioning the bloc as a constructive, non-adversarial platform rather than an anti-Western coalition.

• **Alternative Financial Architecture:** By resolving to increase intra-BRICS trade and settle payments in national currencies, the bloc took concrete steps toward de-dollarization and insulating developing economies from unilateral Western sanctions.

• **Stance on Global Conflicts:** The declaration offered strong support for a two-state solution for Palestine (1967 borders) and backed South Africa's ICJ case, reflecting the collective moral stance of the Global South on the Gaza crisis.

**How India Navigated Internal Contradictions:**

• **Bridging West Asian Rifts:** India facilitated delicate, overnight negotiations to resolve language disputes between Iran and the UAE regarding West Asian hostilities, resulting in a compromise that focused on 'maximum restraint' without direct finger-pointing.

• **Institutionalizing Continuity:** India proposed a G20-style 'Troika' system (incoming, current, and outgoing presidencies) to ensure structural continuity and prevent bilateral frictions from stalling the group's agenda.

• **Pragmatic Consensus:** India successfully balanced its close strategic ties with Israel and the US while signing a declaration that criticized Israeli actions and Western unilateral tariffs, preserving its role as a credible bridge between the East, West, and South.

In conclusion, the New Delhi Declaration solidified BRICS' role as a premier platform for the Global South. Through pragmatic diplomacy, India successfully managed internal contradictions, reinforcing its credentials as a leading global consensus-builder.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The New Delhi Declaration explicitly condemned the Russian military actions in Ukraine. 2. The summit proposed the creation of a G20-style 'Troika' system to ensure continuity in discussions. 3. The grouping expressed support for South Africa's legal case against Israel in international courts. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect because the article explicitly states that the New Delhi Declaration made no separate mention of the Russian war in Ukraine. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as India proposed the 'Troika' system, and the declaration supported South Africa's case against Israel.

Q2. Which of the following initiatives was/were proposed by India at the 18th BRICS Summit? 1. A seafarer distress network. 2. A BRICS global south mechanism for skill development in new technologies. 3. A unified BRICS single currency to replace the US Dollar. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. India proposed a seafarer distress network and a BRICS global south mechanism for skill development in new technologies. Statement 3 is incorrect because the summit resolved to increase trade and payments in 'national currencies', not a single unified currency.

Q3. Regarding the geopolitical positions adopted in the New Delhi Declaration (2026), consider the following statements: 1. It supported a two-state solution for Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. 2. It called for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, specifically supporting permanent Security Council roles for India and Brazil. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the text of the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit.

Revision flashcards

• What is the 'Troika' system proposed by India at the 18th BRICS Summit? A system modeled on the G20 where the incoming, current, and outgoing Presidents of BRICS collaborate to bring institutional continuity to discussions.
• Which two West Asian nations reached a last-minute compromise on language in the New Delhi Declaration (as of September 2026)? Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), enabling consensus on the West Asia conflict.
• What was the New Delhi Declaration's stance on the US blockade of Cuba and unilateral sanctions (as of September 2026)? It criticized the US blockade of Cuba and condemned the imposition of unilateral sanctions and tariffs by Western countries.
• How did the 18th BRICS Summit address international trade payments? It resolved to increase intra-BRICS trade and settle payments using national currencies rather than relying on a single dominant currency.
• Which two countries' bids for permanent roles in the UN Security Council were explicitly supported in the New Delhi Declaration (as of September 2026)? India and Brazil.