BRICS leaders on Saturday unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, capping the opening day of the summit after negotiations overcame differences among members over the conflict in West Asia.
The declaration delivered several significant outcomes for India. It backed the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council, with China and Russia reiterating their support for the two countries. BRICS leaders also called for reforms to make the UN Security Council more democratic, representative and effective.
The grouping also condemned “in the strongest terms” the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens.
On the economic front, the declaration expressed serious concern over the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, warning that they distort trade, disrupt global supply chains and create uncertainty for the world economy. BRICS also reiterated its support for WTO reform and the restoration of a fully functioning two-tier dispute settlement mechanism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announcing the adoption of the declaration, said the summit had demonstrated that a changing world could not be governed by “outdated institutions”. He called for reforms in representation, responsiveness and rule-making and said the Global South must have an equal role in shaping future technologies and the rules governing them.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, urged BRICS to take on a peacemaking role in the West Asia conflict, saying the war did not serve the common interests of the international community. Xi said China would work with other BRICS members towards that objective and described the grouping as a “leading group” of the Global South.
The summit also produced movement on economic and technology cooperation. BRICS Pay said it is looking to expand its cross-border payment network to more countries and develop a decentralised architecture linking national payment systems. Agreements and memorandums are already at different stages with India, Russia, China, Belarus and Turkey.
BRICS also backed India’s proposal to establish a Working Group on Sports Technology, alongside plans for a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave. The proposed group would deepen cooperation in sports science, Artificial Intelligence, athlete performance, governance and digital transformation.
A bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping was also on Saturday’s schedule. Xi arrived in New Delhi for his first visit to India in almost seven years, placing renewed focus on India-China relations alongside cooperation within the BRICS framework.
BRICS Summit Day 1: Key developments so far
- New Delhi Declaration adopted unanimously: BRICS leaders reached consensus on the declaration despite differences over the conflict in West Asia. PM Modi said no member had raised an objection to its adoption.
- BRICS backs India’s UNSC aspirations: China and Russia reiterated support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the United Nations, including the Security Council. The grouping also called for wider UNSC reform and greater representation for developing countries.
- J&K terror attack condemned: BRICS condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, terror financing, cross-border movement of terrorists and safe havens.
- Modi pitches reform of global institutions: The Prime Minister said “outdated institutions” could not steer a changing world and called for reforms in representation, responsiveness and rule-making. He also sought a stronger Global South voice in the development and governance of emerging technologies.
- Xi pitches BRICS as West Asia peacemaker: The Chinese President called on BRICS members to play a peacemaking role in the conflict and said China would work with other members towards that goal.
- Unilateral tariffs come under fire: The New Delhi Declaration expressed concern over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and threaten global supply chains. BRICS also sought reform of the WTO and restoration of its two-tier dispute settlement mechanism.
- BRICS Pay eyes wider expansion: The cross-border payments platform said it wants to connect more countries through a decentralised network linking national payment systems. Work is also underway on infrastructure that could connect India’s UPI with Russian payment systems.
- India’s sports-tech proposal gets BRICS backing: The declaration supported discussions on forming a Working Group on Sports Technology and welcomed India’s proposed Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, planned in Udaipur in November.
- Modi-Xi engagement in focus: Xi’s first visit to India in almost seven years has put the bilateral relationship in focus, with border management, economic engagement and wider regional issues expected to feature in discussions.
- Modi-Putin talks precede summit: On the eve of the BRICS Summit, PM Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed wide-ranging issues, including energy and trade. Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward on the Ukraine conflict.
- Iran and West Asia remain central: Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the summit, while the wars in West Asia featured prominently in both the declaration negotiations and leaders’ interventions.
At the BRICS Business Forum on Friday, Modi said the combined GDP of BRICS countries had increased around 4.5 times over the period he cited, compared with roughly 2.5 times for the global economy. He said BRICS members now account for nearly half of the world’s population, around 40 per cent of global GDP and more than a quarter of international trade.
BRICS leaders on Saturday described artificial intelligence as a major opportunity to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development, while calling for wider access to AI resources, particularly for countries in the Global South.
The New Delhi Declaration 2026 said international cooperation would be critical to improving access to AI while ensuring that the technology remains safe, secure, inclusive and reliable.
The grouping said greater access to AI capabilities could help support a more just and equitable global economy, while ensuring developing countries are not left behind as adoption accelerates.
The declaration also highlighted the broader role of information and communication technologies in driving socio-economic growth and digital transformation across BRICS economies.
BRICS leaders on Saturday called for stronger protection of intellectual property used in artificial intelligence training, while backing fair remuneration for rights holders and flagging risks arising from under-representation of cultures and knowledge in AI models.
The New Delhi Declaration 2026 recognised the need to protect intellectual property rights in the digital environment, including material used for AI training, while taking into account the priorities of developing countries.
Leaders also warned about the misappropriation or misrepresentation of knowledge, heritage and cultural values that may be poorly represented in datasets and AI models.
On the wider digital ecosystem, BRICS called for an open, safe, secure, stable, accessible and interoperable ICT environment, while respecting national sovereignty and security.
The grouping also underlined the central role of the United Nations in developing common understandings, norms and potentially a universal legal framework governing the responsible use of information and communication technologies.
BRICS leaders on Saturday opposed unilateral carbon border taxes and similar protectionist measures, warning that they could undermine developing countries’ efforts to tackle climate change.
The New Delhi Declaration 2026 said the grouping opposed “unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures” that are inconsistent with international law, specifically citing carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs).
A CBAM imposes an additional levy on imports based on the carbon emissions generated during production. The European Union and the UK have announced carbon-border mechanisms, with products such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers among those potentially affected.
BRICS leaders said such measures could weaken developing countries’ ability to address climate risks, improve adaptation and build resilience.
The declaration also called for stronger cooperation on global value chains, including digitisation of trade documentation, connectivity, technology access and integration of developing economies into higher-value manufacturing.
BRICS members said they would explore ways to increase intra-BRICS trade and use Special Economic Zones to promote investment, industrial cooperation and more resilient supply chains.
On intellectual property, the leaders backed greater cooperation in areas including patents, geographical indications, traditional knowledge and AI. They also called for respect for intellectual property used in the digital environment, including for AI training, while recognising the priorities of developing countries and the need for fair remuneration of rights holders.
BRICS leaders on Saturday backed India’s proposal to set up a Working Group on Sports Technology and supported plans for a BRICS Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, as the grouping sought deeper cooperation in sports science, technology and manufacturing.
The proposals were included in the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which recognised the growing role of technology in improving athlete performance, welfare, governance and inclusion in sports.
The proposed working group is expected to strengthen cooperation among BRICS members in areas including sports science, Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, athlete performance and governance.
The declaration also welcomed India’s proposal for a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave aimed at promoting cooperation in manufacturing, research and innovation.
The conclave is planned to be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in November 2026 and is expected to bring together manufacturers, exporters, investors, technology providers, SMEs, start-ups and research institutions.
BRICS leaders also underlined sport’s role in social development and people-to-people exchanges, while appreciating the BRICS Games as a platform for cooperation in high-performance, traditional, indigenous and non-Olympic sports.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on BRICS countries to take on a peacemaking role in the West Asia conflict, saying the war does not serve the common interests of the international community.
Addressing the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Xi said China would work with other members of the grouping towards that objective, Reuters reported, citing Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi described BRICS as a “leading group” of the Global South and said the bloc should emerge as a model of self-reliance among emerging and developing economies while promoting innovation-led development.
His remarks came as BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which stressed conflict prevention and reiterated the grouping’s commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy.
The declaration also raised concerns over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.
China is set to assume the rotating BRICS presidency in 2027. Chinese media reports said Beijing plans to push cooperation in areas including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green development, poverty reduction and agriculture.
The New Delhi Declaration 2026 adopted by BRICS leaders on Saturday backed the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the United Nations, including the UN Security Council, while also strongly condemning the April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The declaration said China and Russia, both permanent members of the UNSC, reiterated their support for India and Brazil playing a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.
BRICS leaders also called for reforms to make the Security Council more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, with greater representation for developing countries.
On terrorism, the grouping condemned “in the strongest terms” the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed and several others injured.
The declaration called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens, and rejected double standards in combating terrorism. It also sought early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and action against UN-designated terrorists and entities.
On trade, BRICS expressed serious concern over the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, saying they distort trade, disrupt global supply chains and create uncertainty for the world economy.
The grouping reiterated its support for WTO reform and called for the restoration of a fully functioning two-tier dispute settlement mechanism. It also criticised unilateral economic and secondary sanctions that it said were contrary to international law.
BRICS Pay is looking to expand its cross-border payments platform to more countries as it works towards building a decentralised network linking national payment systems, CEO Andrey Mikhaylishin said on Saturday.
Mikhaylishin said the platform has already signed memorandums of understanding with companies in China, Belarus and Turkey, while agreements involving Russia and India are also at different stages of development.
He described BRICS Pay as an “open project”, saying countries would be able to connect their domestic payment infrastructure to the network and use its technology for cross-border transactions.
The India-Russia arrangement is focused on developing the infrastructure required to connect India’s UPI with Russian payment systems, including work on technical capabilities, legislation and citizen-facing services.
The platform is also being developed for payments by tourists travelling between participating countries, allowing them to use domestic payment methods abroad. Mikhaylishin said BRICS Pay could additionally support business-to-business settlements between companies and banks.
He stressed that the platform should not be seen as an attempt to replace the US dollar, saying users would continue to have the option of conducting dollar-denominated transactions.
“In the future, we will have fully decentralised infrastructure with more sovereignty in the financial means for the countries,” Mikhaylishin said.
BRICS leaders on Saturday adopted the New Delhi Declaration by consensus, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for host India after last-minute negotiations helped bridge differences between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day of the two-day BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Negotiations on the declaration continued until the final stages as Iran and the UAE initially held firm positions. Since BRICS operates by consensus, opposition from even one member could have prevented the adoption of the joint declaration.
In his concluding remarks, Modi said the discussions showed that a changing world could not be governed by “outdated institutions” and called for reforms in global representation, responsiveness and rule-making.
He also said the Global South must have an equal role in shaping future technologies and the rules governing them.
“The New Delhi Declaration adopted today provides a clear direction for our shared resolve. It is now our responsibility to translate these resolutions into tangible results,” Modi said.
Modi was also seen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the inaugural session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for reforms in global financial institutions, saying voting power, leadership positions and policy priorities should reflect present-day economic realities.
“Countries that are driving global economic growth should also have an appropriate role in shaping global economic governance,” Modi said.
The remarks underline India’s push for a larger role for emerging and developing economies in institutions that influence global finance and economic policy.
BRICS members have reached consensus on a joint declaration, overcoming differences over the Iran war that had earlier divided members including Iran and the UAE, according to reports by The Indian Express and Reuters.
The Indian Express reported that India helped bridge differences over the West Asia conflict following intensive negotiations among Sherpas of the 11 member countries. The disagreement had prevented BRICS foreign ministers from agreeing on the relevant paragraph at their May meeting.
Reuters, citing four sources, reported that negotiators have now agreed on a joint declaration which is unlikely to name individual countries but is expected to condemn the unilateral imposition of war. The agreement reportedly clears a key hurdle for BRICS leaders to adopt a common declaration at the New Delhi summit.
Consensus has also emerged on other issues. The Indian Express earlier reported agreement on a common stand against terrorism, reform of global governance institutions, strengthened multilateralism and support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Addressing BRICS leaders on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said UN Security Council reform “can no longer be delayed”, calling for negotiations to be tied to a definite timeline and clear outcomes. He also sought greater representation for emerging economies in global institutions, arguing that countries driving global growth should have an appropriate role in shaping global governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for long-pending reforms to the United Nations Security Council, saying the issue can no longer be postponed.
Modi said negotiations on UNSC reform should be tied to a clear timeline and definite outcomes, as he argued for greater representation of developing countries in global decision-making.
His remarks came as part of a broader pitch for reforming global governance and giving the Global South a stronger voice in institutions that shape international rules and responses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism to ensure initiatives undertaken by successive presidencies do not lose momentum as leadership of the grouping changes every year.
Under the proposed mechanism, BRICS could use the Troika to follow up on initiatives and outcomes, supported by a secure digital repository tracking nodal points, timelines and implementation status.
Modi also called for greater participation of developing countries in writing rules governing emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and critical technologies are not only creating new opportunities but also shaping the rules of the future, he said.
“We have to make efforts to turn the Global South from a rule taker into a rule shaper,” Modi said, suggesting that BRICS provide young diplomats and policymakers from developing nations with negotiation skills, practical training and legal expertise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for sweeping reforms to global institutions at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, arguing that the Global South remains disproportionately affected by international crises while having limited influence over decisions.
“Global South today is in the front row of global crises, but in the back row of decision-making,” Modi said.
Calling for the existing “pyramid of privilege” in global governance to be transformed into a “platform of partnership”, Modi proposed that BRICS countries jointly prepare 10 proposals for reforming global governance. These could be developed into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next summit, built around three principles: representation, responsiveness and rule-making.
Modi also said reform of the UN Security Council can no longer be delayed and called for voting power, leadership positions and policy priorities in global financial institutions to better reflect present-day economic realities.
The 18th BRICS Summit formally got underway in New Delhi on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming participating leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira were among those received by Modi as delegates arrived for the leaders’ meetings, according to ANI. Vieira is representing Brazil at the summit in place of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
India is hosting the two-day BRICS Summit on September 12-13, with discussions expected to focus on economic cooperation, resilience, innovation, sustainability and major geopolitical and global economic challenges.
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in New Delhi on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit. Along with Xi were two senior officials who occupy important positions in Beijing’s political and diplomatic machinery. Cai Qi and Wang Yi.
Cai, 70, sits on the Politburo Standing Committee, the Communist Party of China’s most powerful decision-making body, and heads the party’s General Office. The role puts him at the centre of the CPC’s administrative and political operations and makes him a key member of Xi’s inner circle.
Wang Yi brings a different kind of influence to the delegation. A veteran diplomat and one of China’s longest-serving foreign ministers in recent decades, he continues to play a central role in shaping the country’s engagement with the rest of the world.
On the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday. As other international leaders arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, the Indian leader also met with Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for separate bilateral meetings and boost ties with the bloc's Member and Partner Countries.
The MEA previously stated that the Crown Prince's visit presented the opportunity to "further strengthen India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership centred on robust trade and energy security for shared prosperity."
Meanwhile, India and Vietnam share an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, underpinned by longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation expanding across defence and security, fintech, critical minerals and other emerging areas, according to the MEA.
The Delhi Police beefed up security measures at Bharat Mandapam amid the ongoing 18th BRICS Summit in the Indian capital, as seen in visuals emerging from Pragati Maidan.
PM Modi is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and counterparts from the other eight BRICS members, while wars in Ukraine and the Middle East prolong.
Chairman of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN), Idehai Frederick, said that India has the vision, strength and potential to harmonise the global economy through the BRICS bloc. Meanwhile, Indonesia journalist Mega Mei Wahidawati hailed the "amazing" summit in New Delhi, as their country participates as a member for the first time, according to ANI.
PM Modi held yet another bilateral meeting, this time with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. Malaysia is a BRICS Partner Country, and is participating in the 18th edition of the summit on the invitation of the Indian prime minister.
Ibrahim is slated to deliver a National Statement on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth during the summit this weekend. His foreign ministry stated earlier that the country will foreground the importance of strengthening cooperation among the bloc's Member and Partner Countries, as they seek to address development challenges, economic opportunities, and benefits of tech advancement and innovation are enjoyed inclusively by all.
The Malaysian PM is scheduled to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister VD Satheesan and the Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, in Keralam as well.
Both Iran and Russia continue to face Western sanctions on their economies amid ongoing global wars. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out against those economic pressures as they addressed the BRICS Business Forum on Friday.
“BRICS must create an environment in which no country can disrupt the legitimate trade of another country through monopolizing a financial instrument or technology,” said in New Delhi. He further urged the bloc to expand the use of national currencies instead of the US dollar to trade among member countries.
Meanwhile, Putin said, "More than 30,000 sanctions have been slapped on Russia, which is twice as many as the number of sanctions against all the other countries of the world combined." He noted that countries "facing industrial decline and budget deficit" were trying to protect their "competitive edge by hitting Russia and Iran with sanctions.
The Russian leader stressed that the last five years have seen more than 40% of the world's incremental GDP being produced by the BRICS countries, while the G7, which includes the US, only accounted for 29%.
Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, arrived in New Delhi on Saturdat for the BRICS Summit 2026. Taking to X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Ryzhenkov.
India and Belarus share friendly relations, owing to their growin cooperation across multiple areas, in bilateral and multilateral spheres. As a BRICS partner nation, Belarus is one of the leading food exporters in the world and supplies 64% of its output to international markets.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced Friday that Metro train services will beging at 6 am on all lines on Sunday, the second and final day of the BRICS Summit. The measures will ensure convenient travel for students appearing for exams.
"To facilitate the smooth and timely movement of students appearing for examinations and the general public, Metro train services will commence at 6:00 AM on all lines on Sunday, 13th September 2026," the DMRC said in a post on X. "Students and passengers are advised to plan their journey accordingly."
Meanwhile, the Delhi police said in a separate post on X, "IN view of the movement of international dignitaries during the BRICS Summit 2026, traffic may be temporarily regulated/diverted on certain roads in and around New Delhi."
Having already met PM Narendra Modi yesterday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. He is the only head of state visiting India this weekend to get a meeting with Murmu on the sidelines of the summit.
Outlining India's strategic autonomy at BRICS Summit, former diplomat Veena Sikri emphasised that even as New Delhi represents the Global South, its stance remains strictly "non-West," and not "anti-West."
"For India, one point is very important: that while BRICS represents the global South, so in that sense, we are not Western countries; we are non-West. But we are not anti-West. That is very important. We are not anti-West; we want to live as one world. India believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and we want to live with one world. But we want the problems of the South, the very special problems of the South, they should be given due seriousness and due attention by the countries of the world," Sikri told ANI.
She highlighted that India wants friendship, camaraderie and mutual benefit from other members of the BRICs bloc. With talks of a potential new "BRICS currency" in the air, the ex-diplomat said that India has never supported that because it could be viewed as an "anti-West" step and an indication of "de-dollarisation."
"But at the same time, we are prepared to trade with the BRICS countries in national currencies... And then we're prepared to also share digital payment infrastructure, you know, UPI system and so on... At the same time, we are very prepared to cooperate with the countries of the West," she added.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened BRICS nations over the years due as mentions of potentially reducing the US dollar's dominance have been brought up. He has even declared tariff war against such countries in the past.
"China and India are arranging for the bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi," Xu Feihong, the Chinese Ambassador to India, wrote in a post on X on Friday night.
Alongside the confirmation, he noted that this would mark the third year in a row for the two leaders to meet with each other. They previously held meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed," Xu added.
The Chinese president's India visit this weekend marks his first trip to the country since 2019. The disputed Himalayan border remains as the primary point of friction between the two side even though the nations have resumed border trade, people-to-peopm exchanges and flights.
Xi's high-profile delegation will include Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, according to the Chinese news agency.