Leaders of the BRICS bloc concluded a two-day summit in New Delhi on Saturday by adopting a joint declaration that condemns unilateral wars without naming any specific country. The agreement followed intense overnight negotiations that extended until approximately 4 a.m. local time, according to government sources cited by The Times of India.
India secured consensus among the 11-member grouping, which now includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—countries with competing regional interests—despite deep divisions over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as rising U.S.-China tensions. The final declaration is expected to avoid direct condemnations of individual nations while emphasizing the bloc’s opposition to unilateral military actions, Reuters reported, citing four sources familiar with the matter.
Core Outcomes of the Summit
The 18th BRICS Summit, held under India’s 2026 chairship with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” produced several key developments:
- Joint Declaration Adopted: The bloc agreed to a final statement condemning unilateral wars, though it stopped short of naming any country. Member states worked to bridge differences between Iran and the UAE, which are on opposing sides of the Gulf conflict, to reach consensus, according to Reuters.
- Bilateral Engagements: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, among others. Modi and Putin discussed trade, industrial cooperation, and civil nuclear energy, while also reviewing progress in defense, space, and people-to-people ties, a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
- Security Measures: Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across New Delhi, with traffic restrictions and diversions in place to ensure the safety of delegates.
Geopolitical Tensions Shape Discussions
The summit unfolded against a backdrop of escalating global conflicts and deepening U.S. tensions with multiple BRICS members, which shaped the bloc’s priorities and internal dynamics:
- Middle East Conflicts: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s stance that it would not yield to pressure from the U.S. or Israel, stating in a speech that Iran had successfully resisted aggression and would continue to seek justice. Pezeshkian met with Modi on the sidelines, where the Indian prime minister raised concerns about the safety of seafarers and the need for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Modi emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, according to CNBC.
- U.S.-China Tensions: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for his first visit since 2019, marking a step in the cautious thaw between India and China following deadly clashes along their disputed border in 2020. Xi’s visit was closely watched as a signal of improving relations, though the underlying territorial dispute remains unresolved. Beijing stated it was “ready to work with India” to strengthen communication and properly manage differences, Channel News Asia reported.
- Russia-Ukraine War: Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the summit as his country continues its military campaign in Ukraine. Putin framed BRICS as a bloc not directed against any single country but emphasized its role in promoting greater representation for developing nations in global institutions, NPR reported.
Economic and Institutional Priorities
Beyond geopolitical tensions, the summit focused on economic cooperation and institutional reforms, reflecting the bloc’s expanding ambitions:
- Trade and Currency Initiatives: Leaders discussed reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in trade and payments, promoting the use of member currencies, and exploring alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions. This push aligns with BRICS’s long-standing goal of greater autonomy in global economic governance, NPR noted.
- Membership Expansion: The bloc, which now includes 11 full members, has grown significantly since its founding in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. Recent additions include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with Indonesia also participating as a partner nation. Analysts highlight BRICS’s growing influence as a champion of the Global South, though internal divisions persist, South China Morning Post reported.
- Development and Sustainability: The summit emphasized themes of resilience, innovation, and sustainability, with leaders expected to discuss food security, technology, and energy cooperation. India’s chairship has prioritized these areas as part of its broader agenda to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies.
Challenges and Internal Divisions
Despite the adoption of the joint declaration, the summit underscored the bloc’s structural challenges in reconciling divergent interests:
- Divergent Approaches to the U.S.: While some members, such as Russia and China, see BRICS as a vehicle to reduce Western dominance, others, including India, seek to balance engagement with major powers while maintaining strategic autonomy. Analysts note that U.S. policies, including tariffs and sanctions, are pushing members to hedge their bets and deepen intra-bloc cooperation, CNBC reported.
- Regional Rivalries: The inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—countries with competing interests in the Middle East—posed a significant challenge to consensus-building. India’s role in brokering a compromise reflected its diplomatic efforts to bridge these divides, The Times of India noted.
- Border Disputes and Bilateral Tensions: The unresolved India-China border dispute and Russia’s war in Ukraine remain flashpoints that limit the bloc’s ability to present a unified front on global issues. Xi’s visit to India was seen as a positive step, but the underlying tensions were not resolved.
What’s Next for BRICS?
The summit’s outcomes suggest a bloc that is expanding its influence while grappling with internal contradictions. Key areas to watch in the coming months include:
- Implementation of Economic Initiatives: The push to reduce dollar dependence and promote alternative financial systems will require concrete steps, such as increased use of local currencies in trade and the development of new payment mechanisms.
- Response to Global Conflicts: The bloc’s ability to address crises in the Middle East and Ukraine will be tested, particularly as member states hold differing positions on military interventions and sanctions.
- Institutional Reforms: BRICS’s calls for greater representation in global institutions, such as the United Nations and International Monetary Fund, may gain traction as the bloc’s membership and economic weight grow.
The 18th BRICS Summit concluded with a declaration that avoided direct condemnations of specific countries but signaled the bloc’s opposition to unilateral wars. While the summit demonstrated India’s ability to broker consensus among deeply divided members, the challenges of reconciling competing geopolitical interests and advancing shared economic goals remain significant. The coming months will reveal whether BRICS can translate its expanding membership and diplomatic efforts into tangible influence on the global stage.