BRICS Summit 2026: PM Pushes Cooperation As Leaders Adopt New Delhi Declaration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for greater cooperation among Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, which joined the bloc in 2025, as geopolitical tensions continue to affect economies and ordinary people around the world.

Speaking at the concluding session of the two-day BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the grouping must work towards inclusive growth and stronger cooperation to deal with the challenges facing the global economy. He also raised concerns over the growing “weaponisation of technology and critical minerals”, warning that such trends could affect shared development.

The summit brought together leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other heads of government and representatives from BRICS member countries.

The discussions took place against a difficult geopolitical backdrop, with the Russia-Ukraine war, instability in West Asia, changing US tariff policies, continuing to create uncertainty across global markets. The discussion also centred on support for local-currency settlements and the restoration of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

BRICS Leaders Adopt 140-Point New Delhi Declaration

BRICS leaders on Saturday adopted the New Delhi Declaration, a 140-point document outlining the group's priorities under India's 2026 chairship.

The declaration places emphasis on strengthening the voice of the Global South and expanding cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. It also reiterates the group's support for sovereign equality, inclusiveness, solidarity, multilateralism and decision-making based on consensus.

The agenda covers three broad areas: political and security cooperation, economic and financial matters, and cultural and people-to-people ties.

Push For Greater Representation In Global Institutions

BRICS leaders urged greater representation for Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in global meetings and discussions.

The declaration also supports reform of the United Nations, including changes to the UN Security Council. It backs efforts to make the governance of Bretton Woods institutions better reflect the current structure of the global economy.

The document also supports the aspirations of Brazil and India for a larger role in the United Nations, including greater representation in the Security Council.

China Pushes AI And Trade Cooperation

Xi Jinping used the summit to put forward new initiatives covering areas such as artificial intelligence and trade, as China seeks to deepen cooperation within the expanded BRICS grouping.

The focus on technology came alongside Modi's warning about the risks associated with the control and use of critical technologies and minerals. For BRICS economies, both areas are increasingly important as countries try to build supply chains and reduce dependence on a limited number of markets.

Geopolitical Tensions Shape Summit Discussions

The BRICS meeting was held at a time when conflicts and trade disputes are putting pressure on countries across regions.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and instability in West Asia remained part of the wider geopolitical backdrop. New US tariff measures have also added to concerns over global trade and economic growth.

Against this setting, the summit sought to place greater emphasis on cooperation among developing economies and on giving the Global South a stronger voice in international institutions.

The adoption of the New Delhi Declaration gives those priorities a formal framework, while the discussions at the summit highlighted the challenges BRICS members face as they try to expand cooperation across security, trade, finance and technology.

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