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India’s BRICS Summit Wins Praise for Consensus-Building Success
India hosted a meeting of BRICS countries in New Delhi.
The meeting took place from September 12 to 13, 2026.
The countries agreed on a shared document called the New Delhi Declaration 2026.
Michael Kugelman said this showed India could help countries with different opinions work together.
The declaration discussed trade, terrorism and solving conflicts peacefully.
India also helped reduce disagreements between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
BRICS wants its members to trade more with one another.
Kugelman said people in the United States sometimes misunderstand BRICS, which is neither simply irrelevant nor automatically against the West.
US-based analyst Michael Kugelman called India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit a success.
He said the substantive New Delhi Declaration 2026 showed New Delhi could build consensus among countries with differing views.
BRICS members unanimously adopted the declaration on September 13, covering trade, terrorism, conflict prevention and dispute resolution.
India helped bridge differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates during negotiations over the West Asia conflict.
Kugelman said BRICS seeks greater internal trade and could serve as an alternative to Western-led economic and financial institutions.
- Who
- India, the BRICS member countries and analyst Michael Kugelman were central to the assessment.
- What
- India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit was described as successful after members adopted a joint declaration.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The summit was held from September 12 to 13, 2026; the analysis was published on September 14, 2026.
- Why
- The summit sought consensus on trade, terrorism, conflict prevention and other issues while promoting greater cooperation among BRICS countries.
BRICS as a Growing Alternative
BRICS as a Limited or Misunderstood Grouping
BRICS’s global role
BRICS as a Growing Alternative
Kugelman said BRICS is positioning itself as an alternative to Western-led economic and financial institutions and is seeking greater trade among its members.
BRICS as a Limited or Misunderstood Grouping
Some US observers view BRICS as irrelevant or merely a talk shop, while others see it as an effort to confront the West; Kugelman said both interpretations were incorrect.
Implications for Washington
BRICS as a Growing Alternative
The declaration indirectly addressed concerns about tariffs and sanctions associated with the Trump administration and challenged aspects of the West-led global order.
BRICS as a Limited or Misunderstood Grouping
Kugelman did not expect a strong public reaction from Washington because the United States was not specifically named, saying its response would depend on what BRICS actually does.
Key facts
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host
- India
- Location
- New Delhi
- Dates
- September 12–13, 2026
- Declaration
- New Delhi Declaration 2026
- BRICS reach
- The grouping represents around 49.5% of the world’s population and 40% of global GDP.
- Adoption
- The declaration was unanimously adopted by BRICS members.
Quotes
Michael Kugelman
Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
“I think we could assess India's hosting role as a success. The fact that there was a joint declaration that was quite substantive and was issued on the first day highlights how New Delhi was able to work with a group with disparate views and reach a consensus,”
thehindubusinessline.com
“What BRICS is really about is that it is meant to position itself as an alternative to Western-led economic and financial institutions in a world order that many countries, particularly in the Global South, are increasingly uncomfortable with,”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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