BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, at the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India.
The declaration called for restraint in the Middle East, addressed AI cooperation, energy security and local-currency trade, but stopped short of condemning the US-Israeli strikes or Iran’s targeting of Gulf countries.
In a notable diplomatic achievement, India helped mediate a joint statement between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, with talks reportedly continuing until 4 am on September 12.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Declaration reflected a BRICS that is ‘wider in reach and stronger in purpose’, calling on members to translate the outcomes into time-bound action.
Security was tightened significantly at the Bharat Mandapam venue for the summit’s final day, with thousands of personnel deployed across New Delhi.
The New Delhi Declaration called for restraint in the Middle East but stopped short of condemning either the US-Israeli strikes or Iran’s targeting of Gulf countries in the region.
The declaration also criticised the ongoing global trade war without directly naming the United States, reflecting the bloc’s effort to balance differing member positions.
BRICS did not launch a common currency at the summit, with the focus instead remaining on promoting local-currency trade and cross-border payment systems among member nations.
One of the summit’s notable diplomatic achievements was India’s mediating role in securing a joint statement between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, with talks reportedly continuing until 4 am on September 12.
PM Modi described the Declaration’s outcome as reflecting a BRICS that is ‘wider in reach and stronger in purpose’, urging members to translate the outcomes into time-bound action.
Security was tightened significantly at the Bharat Mandapam venue for the summit’s final day, with thousands of personnel deployed across New Delhi.
The 18th BRICS Summit brought together leaders and senior delegations from member states including Russia, China, South Africa, Iran and several newer bloc entrants.
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
