Archive · 13 Sep 2026
BRICS Summit Reaches Consensus Amid Global Tensions
BRICS is a group of countries that wants developing nations to have a stronger voice in world affairs.
Its members met in New Delhi while several major conflicts and political disagreements were continuing.
India hosted the meeting and tried to keep countries with different relationships to the West working together.
The members agreed on a joint statement after long negotiations.
They called for protecting civilians and delivering aid in West Asia.
They also asked countries to solve the Ukraine conflict through talks instead of assigning blame to one side.
BRICS wants changes to major global institutions so developing countries have more influence.
The group is also exploring ways to trade using local currencies instead of relying so heavily on the US dollar.
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi concluded with unanimous adoption of the 2026 New Delhi Declaration.
The declaration called for restraint in West Asia, civilian protection, humanitarian access, and a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
On Ukraine, BRICS avoided blaming a single country and urged dialogue, consultation, and multilateral diplomacy.
Members supported reforms to the United Nations Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions while opposing unilateral sanctions and trade protectionism.
India used its chairmanship to promote strategic autonomy, local-currency trade, and cooperation across an internally divided and expanded BRICS membership.
- Who
- BRICS member states, hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with leaders including Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Xi Jinping participating in high-level engagements.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit adopted the 2026 New Delhi Declaration and discussed conflicts, global institutional reform, economic cooperation, and the future direction of the expanded group.
- When
- The summit took place in 2026, with the declaration adopted at its conclusion after overnight negotiations.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- India hosted the summit to advance strategic autonomy, strengthen Global South cooperation, and manage disagreements within an expanded BRICS.
Anti-Western Counterweight
Non-Western Reform Platform
BRICS’s geopolitical purpose
Anti-Western Counterweight
Russia and Iran frequently view BRICS as a direct counterweight to the G7 and NATO.
Non-Western Reform Platform
India, Brazil, and South Africa advocate a non-Western but not anti-Western alignment focused on reforming existing institutions.
Approach to global institutions
Anti-Western Counterweight
A stronger bloc could reduce dependence on Western financial and political systems, including through local-currency trade and opposition to unilateral sanctions.
Non-Western Reform Platform
The group should seek greater representation for developing countries within institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund rather than dismantling them.
Common currency
Anti-Western Counterweight
Russia and, more discreetly, China have pushed for reducing dependence on the US dollar through deeper monetary alternatives.
Non-Western Reform Platform
The article says practical local-currency settlement mechanisms have taken priority over a single BRICS currency because of economic and political obstacles.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host
- India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Declaration
- The 2026 New Delhi Declaration was adopted unanimously
- Membership
- The article describes BRICS as having 11 full member states, including the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, whose status is described as partial
- West Asia
- The declaration called for restraint, civilian protection, humanitarian access, and a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders
- Ukraine
- BRICS urged dialogue and multilateral diplomacy without explicitly condemning a single country
- Economic policy
- Members emphasized local-currency settlement, reduced dependence on the US dollar, and expansion of the New Development Bank