NEW DELHI: India hosted the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing collectively leaders of the expanded 11-member grouping for discussions on world conflicts, terrorism, commerce, vitality, know-how, local weather change and reform of worldwide establishments. India used its 2026 chairship to push a people-centric agenda centred on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.The summit was marked by high-level bilateral conferences, seen shows of bonhomie amongst leaders and efforts to bridge variations over the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea area. PM Modi held separate conferences with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese language President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whereas leaders additionally participated within the Brics Enterprise Discussion board and different summit engagements.From PM Modi and Putin travelling collectively by automobile contained in the Bharat Mandapam complicated to PM Modi and Xi sharing heat moments and the leaders collaborating in a gala dinner and cultural engagements, the summit mixed diplomacy with symbols of Brics unity.The summit culminated within the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, a 45-page doc containing 140 factors that brings collectively the grouping’s positions on terrorism, unilateral navy motion, West Asia, world governance, commerce, sanctions, vitality, finance and improvement.
PM Modi-Xi bilateral: Boundary query and reset in ties
PM Modi and Chinese language President Xi Jinping held a bilateral assembly on the sidelines of the summit, with each side stressing the significance of viewing India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.The 2 leaders dedicated to looking for a good, affordable and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary query. PM Modi confused that variations shouldn’t grow to be disputes and highlighted the significance of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual curiosity.The discussions additionally coated peace and tranquillity alongside the border, financial relations, commerce imbalances, provide chains and people-to-people exchanges. The assembly got here as New Delhi and Beijing search to stabilise bilateral ties whereas persevering with to handle variations over the boundary.The Modi-Xi assembly was one of many summit’s most intently watched engagements, given the strategic significance of India-China relations and their simultaneous participation in an expanded Brics framework.
PM Modi-Putin assembly: Ukraine, West Asia and $100 billion commerce goal
PM Modi held an over 45-minute bilateral assembly with Putin on the eve of the summit, reviewing the India-Russia strategic partnership and discussing regional and world developments.The 2 leaders mentioned the affect of the Russia-Ukraine battle and the West Asia disaster on maritime commerce and the protection and safety of Indian seafarers. PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remained the way in which ahead in resolving conflicts and mentioned India was able to contribute to peace efforts.5 Indian seafarers have died within the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine hostilities, making maritime security an vital concern for New Delhi.The 2 sides additionally mentioned defence, vitality, vital minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, fertilisers, infrastructure, know-how and industrial cooperation. India and Russia agreed to work in the direction of taking bilateral commerce to $100 billion by 2030.Putin additionally invited PM Modi to Russia for the twenty fourth India-Russia Annual Summit. The dates can be finalised via diplomatic channels.
Automotive diplomacy: PM Modi and Putin journey collectively
After their bilateral assembly, PM Modi and Putin travelled collectively in the identical automobile contained in the Bharat Mandapam complicated earlier than attending the Brics Enterprise Discussion board.The weird visible rapidly grew to become one of many defining moments of the summit, highlighting the shut nature of the India-Russia relationship amid persevering with geopolitical stress on Moscow and India’s effort to keep up strategic autonomy.PM Modi later highlighted the rising India-Russia financial relationship, together with the participation of corporations from each international locations on the INNOPROM industrial exhibition held at Bharat Mandapam.
Thirukkural reward: PM Modi presents Putin Russian translation
PM Modi introduced Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work attributed to poet-saint Thiruvalluvar.“Two thousand years in the past, Thiruvalluvar wrote the Thirukkural. It consists of all the gamut of human life. It has been translated into the Russian language. I’m assured that the people-to-people contact will improve with the interpretation of the Thirukkural into Russian, which is able to play an enormous position in strengthening our relationships,” Modi informed Putin.The reward was introduced as a cultural bridge between India and Russia and mirrored the emphasis positioned by India on people-to-people hyperlinks throughout its Brics chairship.
PM Modi-Pezeshkian talks: West Asia and regional peace
PM Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit, with the 2 leaders discussing India-Iran relations, Brics cooperation and the battle in West Asia.PM Modi reiterated India’s place that disputes have to be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy and confused the necessity for lasting peace and stability within the area.The discussions additionally coated freedom of navigation and commerce and the protection and well-being of seafarers, points which have acquired larger significance amid disruption to delivery routes within the area.The assembly adopted the leaders’ earlier interplay on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek. India additionally confused the significance of increasing bilateral commerce channels and pursuing a long-term and mutually helpful relationship with Iran.
PM Modi, Xi, Putin and leaders showcase Brics unity
The summit was accompanied by a sequence of high-profile visuals displaying leaders of the expanded grouping interacting informally.PM Modi was seen greeting Putin and Xi collectively, holding their fingers and sharing smiles. In one other visible, Modi walked alongside Putin, Xi and Pezeshkian.PM Modi was additionally seen holding fingers and strolling alongside Pezeshkian and different leaders in the course of the Brics Enterprise Discussion board. The pictures had been broadly seen as an illustration of the grouping’s effort to undertaking unity regardless of variations amongst members on main geopolitical points.The presence of leaders from Russia, China, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa and different member states underscored the variety of pursuits represented throughout the expanded grouping.
Gala dinner: Leaders collect for cultural night
The Brics leaders additionally attended a gala dinner hosted in the course of the summit, offering an off-the-cuff setting for interactions between heads of presidency and state.The cultural programme and dinner fashioned a part of India’s effort to showcase its heritage alongside the formal diplomatic agenda. The occasion introduced collectively leaders who had spent the summit discussing contentious points starting from wars and terrorism to commerce and world governance.The casual interactions added a softer dimension to a summit in any other case dominated by troublesome geopolitical negotiations.
Banyan tree plantation: Image of Brics unity
A symbolic tree plantation ceremony was additionally organised in the course of the summit, with Brics leaders collaborating within the planting of a Banyan tree.The Banyan tree, recognized for its in depth roots and interconnected branches, was introduced as a logo of continuity, resilience and interconnectedness. The gesture complemented India’s 2026 Brics theme of “Constructing for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.The plantation additionally mirrored India’s try to attach the summit’s diplomatic agenda with sustainability and environmental cooperation.
Brics Enterprise Discussion board: Commerce, funding and know-how
The Brics Enterprise Discussion board introduced collectively heads of state, ministers and enterprise leaders to debate commerce, funding, finance, know-how and improvement.PM Modi highlighted the financial weight of the expanded grouping, saying:“Immediately, BRICS nations signify 50 per cent of the world’s inhabitants, 40 per cent of its GDP, and over 25 per cent of world commerce. Furthermore, whereas world GDP has grown roughly two-and-a-half-fold over these years, the mixed GDP of BRICS nations has expanded practically four-and-a-half-fold. In different phrases, the financial power of BRICS has grown at practically twice the tempo of the remainder of the world.”“The rising scale, pace, and optimism of BRICS are clearly evident amongst us. This discussion board, hosted in India, is the biggest BRICS Enterprise Discussion board thus far,” the Prime Minister added.Pezeshkian referred to as for Brics to transform its financial potential into sensible cooperation via commerce, funding and joint financing.“We consider that the true power of BRICS is just not confined merely to the scale of its members’ economies; reasonably, it turns into extra obvious when these capacities are reworked right into a community of commerce, funding and joint financing – a transition from potential cooperation to operational one,” he mentioned.Putin confused the significance of business-to-business relations and financial partnerships, arguing that they may assist create extra resilient worldwide financial relations.
Putin assaults commerce restrictions, backs new progress platform
On the Enterprise Discussion board, Putin criticised what he described as makes an attempt by Western opponents to regain their former financial management.“Now we have at all times been informed that competitors is a sacred cow, one thing that should not be touched,” Putin informed a BRICS enterprise discussion board occasion. “But, sadly, as we speak your Western opponents try by any means essential to regain their former management.”“This competitors is generally assuming ugly kinds,” he mentioned. “They even embody direct bodily assaults or the destruction of business and logistical services, pipelines, and so forth.”Putin additionally criticised restrictions on worldwide transport corridors, delivery and commerce and referred to as for Brics to contribute to constructing “a brand new, sustainable platform for world progress”.
India-Russia financial partnership will get push
The summit additionally supplied a chance for India and Russia to debate increasing financial cooperation amid Western sanctions and geopolitical uncertainty.The 2 international locations mentioned the Programme for Financial Cooperation 2030 and cooperation in infrastructure, vitality, know-how, defence, vital minerals and civil nuclear vitality.The edges additionally explored industrial cooperation in railways and tunnelling, the metal worth chain and larger entry to the Russian marketplace for Indian exporters.India continues to keep up sturdy vitality ties with Russia, whereas looking for to develop commerce past conventional sectors.
Brics pushes sensible cooperation throughout sectors
India’s 2026 chairship centered closely on changing Brics right into a platform for sensible cooperation reasonably than limiting it to political declarations.Greater than 350 conferences and high-level engagements had been organised throughout roughly 30 cities throughout India’s chairship. These coated political and safety cooperation, financial and monetary cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.PM Modi mentioned: “It offers me immense pleasure to welcome and greet you all to India. India’s BRICS chairmanship is predicated on a people-centric and humanity-first method. Resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability have been our priorities.”“Alongside these priorities, now we have positioned particular emphasis on connecting BRICS cooperation with the widespread folks. With this imaginative and prescient in thoughts, greater than 350 conferences had been organised. We had the chance to welcome your groups to roughly 30 cities…”
Agriculture: Digital farming and local weather resilience
Brics international locations agreed on new mechanisms to strengthen agricultural cooperation.These embody Centres of Excellence on agro-ecology for analysis and data sharing on pure, natural and regenerative farming, a Brics Community on Digital Agriculture utilizing synthetic intelligence, geospatial intelligence, IoT-enabled monitoring and superior information analytics, and BRICS AGRIN, a voluntary framework overlaying agricultural inputs, seeds and genetic sources.The initiatives search to advertise climate-resilient farming and larger technology-driven cooperation amongst member international locations.
Well being: Way of life, conventional medication and psychological well being
The Brics Mission for Wholesome Way of life was launched together with a roadmap for joint cooperation for 2026-2029, specializing in preventive approaches to weight problems and different non-communicable ailments.Members additionally agreed to determine an Skilled Working Group on Conventional, Complementary and Integrative Medication, overlaying analysis, proof era, tutorial alternate, high quality requirements and safety of conventional data.Psychological well being cooperation was additionally strengthened via the Brics Coaching Hub Community and Community of Centres of Excellence, with NIMHANS India because the coordinating centre.
Vitality: Sensible grids and storage
Brics adopted guiding rules on vitality storage and sensible grids and launched a Digital Centre of Excellence for Sensible Grids and Vitality Storage.The initiative will present a platform for data sharing, capability constructing, coverage and regulatory cooperation and pilot tasks amongst member international locations.The summit additionally positioned emphasis on vitality safety, diversified vitality sources and equitable vitality transitions.
MSMEs and startups: New platforms for companies
India pushed stronger cooperation for micro, small and medium enterprises and startups.The Brics MSME Cooperation Portal will join MSMEs, know-how centres, commerce associations, monetary establishments and policymakers throughout member international locations.A Brics Incubator Community will join startups with incubators in different member international locations, whereas the Brics Startup Innovation Fund is meant to help early and growth-stage startups.
Logistics and world provide chains
Brics members agreed on a Logistics Provide-Chain Cooperation Framework geared toward bettering resilience, sustainability and connectivity.The grouping additionally superior cooperation on world worth chains via the GVC Motion Plan 2026-2030, together with a Technical Council and joint research.The initiatives are meant to cut back vulnerabilities attributable to fragmented provide chains, enhance connectivity and promote financial diversification.
City mobility and climate-resilient infrastructure
The summit additionally superior cooperation on sustainable city improvement.A Brics City Mobility Hub was established as a platform for technical cooperation and data sharing. Members additionally adopted voluntary rules on climate-resilient city infrastructure.An City Analysis and Data Community was established to facilitate cross-border analysis, peer studying and institutional cooperation.
Skilling, youth and sports activities know-how
India additionally superior cooperation on abilities and employment via BRICS CONNECT, a voluntary community overlaying capability constructing, social safety, ladies’s workforce participation, employability and digital public infrastructure.The Brics Youth Cooperation Framework 2026 was adopted to supply larger continuity and construction to youth cooperation.Sports activities know-how cooperation was institutionalised via a working group specializing in technical data, analysis, institutional expertise and finest practices.
Science and analysis cooperation
The Brics Science and Analysis Repository was welcomed as a structured platform for sharing scientific data amongst member international locations.The initiative is meant to strengthen analysis collaboration and facilitate larger alternate of scientific data throughout the expanded grouping.
Brics 2026: A wider and extra numerous grouping
Brics at the moment contains 11 international locations: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE.The growth has considerably widened the grouping’s geographical attain throughout Asia, Africa, the Center East and Latin America. It has additionally introduced collectively international locations with completely different political programs, financial priorities and positions on main worldwide conflicts.India’s chairship subsequently centered not solely on increasing cooperation but in addition on discovering consensus amongst members with competing pursuits.
New Delhi Declaration: Key outcomes
The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026, following intensive negotiations amongst members. The 45-page declaration comprises 140 factors and represents India’s central diplomatic consequence from its 2026 chairship.The declaration addresses terrorism, conflicts, world governance, commerce, sanctions, vitality, finance, improvement and the pursuits of the World South.
Terrorism: Pahalgam assault explicitly condemned
The declaration strongly condemns terrorism in all its kinds and manifestations and requires “zero tolerance for terrorism”.It particularly condemns the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist assault, during which 26 folks had been killed. The declaration additionally condemns cross-border motion of terrorists, terrorism financing and protected havens.Brics reaffirmed that terrorism can’t be related to any faith, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and referred to as for these concerned in terrorist actions and their help to be held accountable.The grouping additionally referred to as for progress in the direction of the adoption of the Complete Conference on Worldwide Terrorism underneath the UN framework.
West Asia: Ceasefire, diplomacy and two-state resolution
The declaration expresses deep concern over the persevering with escalation in West Asia and calls on all events to train most restraint.It stresses dialogue, session and diplomacy because the means to deal with conflicts and requires the safety of civilians and humanitarian help.On Gaza, Brics referred to as for the upholding of a ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian help and an finish to pressured displacement of Palestinians. It reaffirmed help for a two-state resolution based mostly on the internationally recognised 1967 borders.
Unilateral conflict condemned
The declaration condemns unilateral navy motion with out naming any nation.The language assumes significance as a result of Brics consists of members with differing positions on the main conflicts in West Asia and the broader worldwide system.The consensus was reached after negotiations continued into the early hours of Saturday, with India working to bridge variations between members and produce a typical place.
UN reform and larger World South illustration
Brics reaffirmed its help for complete reform of the United Nations, together with the Safety Council.The grouping referred to as for larger illustration of growing international locations in world decision-making and a extra democratic, consultant and inclusive worldwide system.China and Russia reiterated help for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a larger position within the UN, together with the Safety Council.
Commerce: Opposition to tariffs and protectionism
The declaration expresses concern over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort worldwide commerce and create uncertainty for companies and provide chains.Brics reaffirmed help for a rules-based multilateral buying and selling system centred on the World Commerce Group.The grouping additionally referred to as for the restoration of a totally functioning two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
Sanctions: Brics rejects unilateral coercive measures
Brics voiced opposition to unilateral coercive measures that it considers inconsistent with worldwide regulation and the rules of the UN Constitution.The declaration requires such measures to be eradicated and highlights their affect on worldwide financial relations.The place displays a longstanding Brics push for a extra balanced worldwide financial and political order.
Native currencies and cross-border funds
The declaration helps larger use of native currencies in cross-border funds and commerce settlements amongst Brics international locations.Members acknowledged ongoing work on interoperability between fee and messaging programs and efforts to facilitate commerce settlements and funding in native currencies.The initiative kinds a part of the broader Brics effort to strengthen monetary resilience and cooperation.
Vitality safety and transition
The declaration requires stronger vitality safety via diversified vitality sources, resilient infrastructure and steady markets.It additionally helps simply, orderly, equitable and inclusive vitality transitions whereas recognising the differing circumstances and priorities of member international locations.Brics backed cooperation involving renewables, nuclear vitality, hydropower, hydrogen, fossil fuels and different low-carbon applied sciences.
Ladies and inclusive improvement
The declaration recognises ladies as leaders, decision-makers and drivers of financial progress and social transformation.It highlights ladies’s participation in governance, entrepreneurship, employment and peacebuilding and requires larger monetary and digital inclusion.The grouping additionally emphasised abilities improvement and entry to productive and social providers.
Tackling organised crime and illicit monetary flows
Brics expressed concern over illicit monetary flows linked to drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, terrorism financing, human trafficking and organised crime.The grouping referred to as for stronger cooperation between member international locations to hint and disrupt legal proceeds and deal with transnational legal networks.
The bigger message from New Delhi
The New Delhi Declaration combines a robust political message on terrorism, unilateral navy motion, West Asia and world governance with a broad financial and improvement agenda.
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For India, the end result represents an effort to reveal that the expanded Brics can attain consensus regardless of main geopolitical variations. The declaration additionally locations India’s priorities of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability on the centre of a wider agenda overlaying commerce, know-how, vitality, well being, agriculture, finance and improvement.The summit subsequently ended with two parallel messages: Brics desires a stronger collective voice in world affairs, whereas India desires that voice translated into sensible cooperation that reaches companies, communities and unusual folks.