NEW DELHI, 12 September 2026 : BRICS leaders concluded the 18th Summit in New Delhi with the adoption of the “New Delhi Declaration”, but the consensus came only after hours of negotiation that laid bare the bloc’s internal contradictions.Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit sought to project BRICS as the voice of the Global South.
The summit cruised through to a declaration despite the contradictions among members, between Iran-UAE, India-China, overshadowed by the China-Russia closeness. China’s closeness with Pakistan and its being at BRICS cannot be ignored.
Final Document
The final document called for a “structural update” of the UN Security Council, with greater representation for Africa, Asia and Latin America. China and Russia reiterated support for Brazil and India seeking permanent seats.
On trade, BRICS condemned “unilateral tariffs and trade barriers” and measures inconsistent with WTO rules. The bloc warned such steps disrupt supply chains and worsen economic disparities.
Members also urged greater use of local currencies to reduce reliance on the US dollar, a push that earlier drew threats of 100% US tariffs.
Fault Lines on Display
Despite the agreement, divisions were evident. Earlier this year, the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi ended without a joint declaration due to Iran-UAE tensions over West Asia conflicts.
At the summit, paragraphs on Gaza and Red Sea security carried member reservations.The India-China rivalry also loomed large. The two remain economic competitors and geopolitical rivals. India’s Quad alignment with the US sits uneasily with BRICS’ anti-Western tilt led by China and Russia.
Global Implications
Economically, BRICS now accounts for 39% of global GDP and 24% of trade. The de-dollarization push has seen NDB dollar financing fall below 60%. Politically, the declaration signals that the Global South wants a say in rewriting global rules. But analysts warn that without resolving bilateral disputes, BRICS risks becoming an “ineffective talkshop”.
For India, the summit was a test of strategic autonomy — chairing BRICS while remaining in the Quad. PM Modi stressed that “the changing world cannot be steered by outdated institutions”.With wars in West Asia and trade tensions rising, the New Delhi Declaration shows BRICS can agree on paper. Whether it can act together remains the bigger question.
*Neeraj Nanda is South Asia analyst & Editor of Melbourne-based South Asia Times (SAT).
