The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India, is being held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. This summit is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its theme is “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.”
The following are the key highlights of this meeting: 1. A Strong Voice for the Global South. In his opening address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that developing countries must now become rule-makers, not just rule-takers, in global decision-making.
1. A strong demand was made for reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and global financial institutions (such as the IMF and World Bank).
2. Promotion of Trade in Local Currencies
To reduce dependence on the US dollar, member countries are agreeing to conduct trade in their respective national currencies.
There was serious discussion on linking the BRICS Pay System and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to facilitate cross-border payments.
3. Bilateral Meetings and Return of Major Leaders
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India after a seven-year hiatus, leading to discussions on normalizing India-China trade and bilateral relations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi held a special bilateral meeting, discussing enhancing trade, energy security, defense, and civil nuclear cooperation.
Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian also participated in the meeting and spoke on US sanctions and the Middle East crisis.
4. Technological and Economic Cooperation
Bharat Innovates Exhibition: A ‘DeepTech’ exhibition was held during the summit, showcasing digital agriculture, health, startups, and new technologies.
Governance: BRICS countries agreed to establish global regulations for the safe use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
5. New Form of Expanded BRICS
BRICS is no longer a group of just five countries. The summit deliberated on economic strategies as a strong organization of 11 countries, including new full members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia. Together, these countries represent approximately 49.5% of the world’s population and 40% of global GDP.
The Delhi Declaration has been approved at the BRICS Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the unanimous adoption of the ‘New Delhi Declaration 2026′ at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. PM Modi said at the summit that no member raised any objections. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 was unanimously adopted.
What is in the New Delhi Declaration 2026?
According to Reuters, the joint declaration emphasized efforts to prevent conflicts, including addressing their root causes.
It reiterated the BRICS countries’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy.
The declaration advocated a multilateral approach that respects different national perspectives and positions on important global issues.
The joint statement expressed serious concern about the increase in unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that disrupt trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.
BRICS countries reached consensus on the joint statement
BRICS countries reached consensus on a joint statement after intense negotiations that lasted until 4 a.m. on Saturday. During the negotiations, differences emerged on several contentious issues. India continued to engage in discussions to bridge conflicting positions and build consensus among members.