Archive · 13 Sep 2026
BRICS Adopts New Delhi Declaration Despite West Asia Divisions
BRICS countries agreed on a joint statement called the New Delhi Declaration.
They reached agreement even though Iran and the United Arab Emirates had different views about the war and tensions in West Asia.
The countries criticized one-sided tariffs, trade restrictions, protectionism, and sanctions.
They said these actions can make trade and supply chains less predictable.
BRICS strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed.
The group asked countries to use talks and diplomacy, protect civilians, and allow aid to reach Gaza.
It supported Palestinian rights and a future with Israel and Palestine living as two states.
BRICS also wants members to use their own currencies more for trade and improve cross-border payments.
The countries did not agree to create one shared BRICS currency.
They also planned cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, health, finance, and technology.
BRICS leaders adopted the 45-page New Delhi Declaration by consensus on the opening day of the two-day summit after difficult negotiations involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
The bloc opposed unilateral tariffs, non-tariff barriers, protectionism, sanctions, and coercive measures it said conflict with WTO rules or international law, but announced no retaliation mechanism.
BRICS strongly condemned the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, and called for action against terrorism, financing, cross-border movement, and safe havens.
On West Asia, members called for restraint, diplomacy, civilian protection, humanitarian access, uninterrupted trade and energy flows, a Gaza ceasefire, Palestinian rights, and a two-state solution, while avoiding direct criticism of the United States or Russia over their respective actions.
Members backed local-currency settlements, payment-system interoperability, the New Development Bank and a possible BRICS Risk Lab, while also expanding cooperation on AI, digital infrastructure, quantum technology, semiconductors, health, finance, and conservation.
- Who
- The BRICS grouping, including India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China, Russia, and other member countries.
- What
- Leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, covering trade restrictions, terrorism, West Asia conflicts, Palestinian rights, financial cooperation, technology, and reform of global institutions.
- When
- Saturday, September 12, on the opening day of the two-day summit; the declaration referred to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack and other ongoing developments.
- Where
- The declaration was adopted at the BRICS summit in New Delhi and addressed developments in West Asia, Gaza, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Syria, and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Members sought common positions amid tariff disputes, geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, and efforts to strengthen cooperation and the influence of developing countries in global institutions.
Supporters’ View
Limitations and Criticism
Diplomatic consensus
Supporters’ View
India and supporters viewed the agreement as a major diplomatic success because BRICS reached consensus despite earlier differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and a failed foreign-ministers’ statement in May.
Limitations and Criticism
The agreement required carefully balanced language and did not directly assign responsibility for several regional actions.
Trade and sanctions
Supporters’ View
BRICS members said unilateral tariffs, protectionism, sanctions, and coercive measures damage trade, supply chains, human rights, development, health, and food security.
Limitations and Criticism
The declaration did not name the United States and stopped short of announcing a retaliatory trade mechanism.
West Asia conflicts
Supporters’ View
The declaration supported restraint, diplomacy, civilian protection, humanitarian access, a Gaza ceasefire, Palestinian self-determination, and a two-state solution, while condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure and safeguarded nuclear facilities.
Limitations and Criticism
The declaration avoided directly mentioning the United States’ strikes on Iran, Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations, and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
- Declaration
- 45-page New Delhi Declaration.
- Consensus
- The declaration was adopted on the opening day after negotiations involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates; BRICS decisions require consensus.
- Pahalgam attack
- BRICS condemned the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed and others were injured.
- Trade position
- The bloc opposed unilateral tariffs, non-tariff measures, protectionism, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, and coercive measures it considers inconsistent with WTO rules or international law.
- West Asia and Gaza
- Members called for restraint, dialogue, civilian protection, humanitarian access, an end to forced displacement, and a two-state solution; they also supported Palestinian membership in the United Nations.
- Financial cooperation
- BRICS supported local-currency trade and investment, payment-system interoperability, continued work by the BRICS Payment Task Force, and the New Investment Platform.
- Proposed mechanism
- Members showed interest in India's proposed BRICS Risk Lab at the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat.
- Global institutions and technology
- The declaration backed reform of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank, and cooperation on AI, digital public infrastructure, quantum technology, and semiconductors.
