New Delhi: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration by consensus on Saturday after days of negotiations over differences linked to the Middle East conflict and other global issues.
The agreement was reached on the first day of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where member countries are discussing economic cooperation, global governance and the role of developing countries in international affairs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the summit. The consensus was closely watched because differences among members, particularly over the conflict involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates, had made agreement difficult.
The declaration calls for restraint and dialogue and stresses respect for national sovereignty, international law and the United Nations Charter. It also highlights the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to avoid further escalation.
The agreement marks a change from the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi in May, when ministers failed to issue a joint statement amid differences, particularly over the regional conflict involving Iran and the UAE.
The declaration also expresses serious concern about unilateral tariffs and non tariff measures that can distort international trade and create uncertainty for the global economy.
BRICS members are seeking stronger economic cooperation, including greater use of national currencies, improved cross border payment arrangements and reforms to international financial institutions.
Global governance is another major issue at the summit. Modi has called for greater representation of developing countries in international decision making and reform of the United Nations Security Council.
UN Secretary General António Guterres met Modi in New Delhi before the summit. Their discussions included reform of multilateral institutions, conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, freedom of navigation, food and fertiliser security, sustainable development and human centred artificial intelligence.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also called for BRICS to contribute to efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. His visit to India is significant as the two countries continue efforts to improve relations following years of tension along their disputed Himalayan border.
Xi's visit is his first to India in seven years. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also attending the summit, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is representing Iran.
The declaration also addresses terrorism and regional security. BRICS members have called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism and reaffirmed the importance of addressing terrorism in accordance with international law.
The document also addresses the situation in Gaza and wider Middle East issues, reflecting the group's effort to establish common positions on major international crises despite differences among its members.
The summit is taking place as BRICS seeks to expand its influence while managing significant differences among its members. The group includes major economies from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, with different political and economic relationships with the United States, Europe and Russia.
BRICS has 11 official members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Indian government figures, the grouping represents about 49.5 percent of the world's population, 40 percent of global gross domestic product and 26 percent of global trade.
Indonesia became a full BRICS member in January 2025, expanding the group beyond its original membership. The expansion has increased BRICS' economic and political weight but has also brought together countries with differing views on international conflicts and global governance.
India is hosting the summit on September 12 and 13 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".
The adoption of the New Delhi Declaration gives India a significant outcome as it seeks to strengthen BRICS cooperation and promote a greater role for the Global South in global affairs.
The summit is scheduled to continue on Sunday, with leaders expected to discuss cooperation in areas including development, trade, technology, energy and food security.