Building consensus: On the 18th BRICS Summit, the New Delhi Declaration
2-minute summary
The 18th BRICS Summit, held under India's fourth chairship, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. The summit successfully projected a united front for the expanding grouping, emphasizing reformed multilateralism and a shift in traditional global power dynamics. Despite deep geopolitical divisions, Indian negotiators secured a consensus joint statement. Notably, the summit facilitated a high-level bilateral meeting between West Asian rivals Iran and the UAE. The New Delhi Declaration called for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform, supported enhanced roles for India and Brazil, condemned unilateral Western sanctions, and advocated for increased intra-BRICS trade using local currencies. To maintain consensus, sensitive references to specific military strikes in West Asia were omitted, while a strong stance was taken on the conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon. The summit reinforced India's position as a crucial 'Global South balancer' capable of engaging constructively with competing global factions.
Why it's in the news
The 18th BRICS Summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for India in forging consensus among diverse member states during a period of intense global conflict.
Background and context
BRICS began as an acronym (BRIC) coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001 to represent the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, holding its first formal summit in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, forming BRICS. The grouping represents a significant share of the world's population, landmass, and economic output, positioning itself as a counterweight to traditional Western-dominated institutions like the G7. In recent years, BRICS has embarked on expansion, inviting nations like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE to join. The 18th Summit in New Delhi (2026) took place against a backdrop of severe geopolitical polarization, including conflicts in West Asia and Eastern Europe. India's role as host was critical in steering the group toward economic cooperation, local currency transactions (de-dollarization efforts), and institutional reforms of global bodies like the UNSC.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51 — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) promoting international peace, security, and maintaining just and honourable relations between nations, which aligns with India's active role in multilateral forums like BRICS.
International organisations
- BRICS — An acronym for the powerful grouping of world economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which has recently expanded to include countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE.
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — The primary organ of the UN responsible for international peace and security; the New Delhi Declaration explicitly called for its reform and supported a greater role for India and Brazil.
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: The 18th BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration emphasizes 'reformed multilateralism' and a shift in traditional global power equations. In this context, discuss India's role as a bridge between the Global South and a polarized world.
The 18th BRICS Summit and the subsequent New Delhi Declaration underscore a collective desire among emerging economies to challenge traditional global power structures. India, hosting the summit under its fourth chairship, successfully projected itself as a crucial bridge between the Global South and a highly polarized international order.
India's role as a balancer is demonstrated through several key dimensions:
• Diplomatic Consensus Building: Despite deep divisions over ongoing global conflicts, Indian negotiators successfully forged a consensus joint statement. By omitting highly polarizing direct references to specific West Asian military strikes, India secured agreement from diverse members, including rivals Iran and the UAE.
• Championing Reformed Multilateralism: The New Delhi Declaration explicitly called for the reform of the UN Security Council, advocating for a stronger voice and permanent representation for developing nations like India and Brazil.
• Economic Sovereignty and Local Currency Trade: By pushing for increased intra-BRICS trade and transactions in local currencies, India helped articulate the Global South's resistance to unilateral Western sanctions and tariffs, promoting economic resilience.
• Strategic Autonomy in Action: India maintained its bilateral engagements across ideological divides. PM Modi held critical meetings with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and leaders from ASEAN and African nations, balancing its ties with the West while reinforcing its leadership in the developing world.
In conclusion, the 18th BRICS Summit reaffirmed that while member states possess diverse geopolitical interests, they share a common vision for a multipolar world. India's pragmatic diplomacy successfully leveraged this shared interest, cementing its status as an indispensable leader of the Global South.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the 18th BRICS Summit and the New Delhi Declaration, consider the following statements: 1. The declaration explicitly condemned unilateral Western sanctions and tariffs. 2. Saudi Arabia formally adopted the joint statement as a full permanent member during the main session. 3. The summit successfully facilitated a high-level bilateral meeting between Iran and the UAE. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C. Statement 1 is correct: The declaration condemned unilateral Western sanctions and tariffs. Statement 2 is incorrect: The text notes that Saudi Arabia's position remains ambiguous as it has yet to formally join, and its Foreign Minister arrived after the main session where the joint statement was adopted. Statement 3 is correct: The summit facilitated the highest-level bilateral meeting between West Asian rivals Iran and the UAE since their conflict began.
Q2. Which of the following issues was/were explicitly supported or called for in the New Delhi Declaration of the 18th BRICS Summit? 1. Reform of the United Nations Security Council. 2. Support for a greater role for Brazil and India in global governance. 3. Increased transactions in local currencies among member states. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. According to the text, the New Delhi Declaration made a call for the reform of the Security Council, supported a greater role for Brazil and India, and resolved to improve intra-BRICS trade and transact more in local currencies. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding India's diplomatic engagements during the 18th BRICS Summit: 1. India hosted the summit under its fourth BRICS chairship. 2. Bilateral talks were held between the Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President to reaffirm political will to normalise ties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both statements are correct based on the text. India hosted the summit under its fourth BRICS chairship, and PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping, affording both countries a chance to reaffirm their political will to normalise ties.
Revision flashcards
- What was the primary binding theme of the 18th BRICS Summit and the New Delhi Declaration (as of September 2026)? Reaffirming the importance of reformed multilateralism in a world riven with unilateral actions by superpowers.
- Which two West Asian rivals held their highest-level bilateral meeting since their conflict began at the 18th BRICS Summit? Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- What is Saudi Arabia's membership status in BRICS as of the 18th Summit according to the New Delhi Declaration context? Its position remains ambiguous as it has yet to formally join the group, and its Foreign Minister arrived after the joint statement was adopted.
- How many times has India chaired the BRICS summit including the 18th Summit? Four times (the 18th Summit marked India's fourth BRICS chairship).
- What economic measures did the New Delhi Declaration resolve to pursue to bypass unilateral Western actions (as of September 2026)? Improving intra-BRICS trade and transacting more in local currencies while condemning Western sanctions and tariffs.