New Delhi: BRICS leaders have adopted a joint New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit in India, bringing together positions on terrorism, global governance, the Middle East conflict, nuclear safety and international trade.
The declaration, adopted on September 12, 2026, comes as the expanded BRICS grouping faces major geopolitical challenges, including the continuing conflict in West Asia, tensions involving Iran, the war in Ukraine and disagreements over global trade rules.
Among the issues that received particular attention were the need for reforms in global institutions, condemnation of the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, and calls for protecting civilian and peaceful nuclear infrastructure during armed conflicts.
🌍 What Is the New Delhi Declaration?
The New Delhi Declaration is a joint statement adopted by BRICS leaders during India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The expanded BRICS grouping now includes 11 member countries, bringing together major emerging economies from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
The declaration seeks to demonstrate that despite differences among members on individual geopolitical issues, the group can still find common ground on areas such as multilateralism, terrorism, global governance and economic cooperation.
Reuters reported that the declaration was adopted unanimously on the first day of the summit.
🇺🇳 BRICS Calls for Reform of the United Nations
One of the central themes of the BRICS agenda is the reform of global governance institutions.
BRICS members have repeatedly argued that international institutions created in an earlier era should better reflect today’s geopolitical and economic realities.
The push includes greater representation for developing countries in global decision-making and reforms to institutions such as the United Nations Security Council.
At the New Delhi summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin also called for expanding the UN Security Council to give greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America.
For India, UN Security Council reform has been a longstanding diplomatic priority.
The broader BRICS position reflects the group’s argument that the Global South should have a stronger voice in shaping international rules and institutions.
🚨 BRICS Condemns the Pahalgam Terror Attack
The declaration also carries significant importance for India because BRICS leaders once again condemned the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
The New Delhi Declaration calls for zero tolerance toward terrorism, action against terrorist safe havens and accountability for those involved in terrorist activities.
It also rejects attempts to associate terrorism with any particular religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
The declaration calls for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, including efforts to address:
- Cross-border movement of terrorists
- Terrorist financing
- Terrorist safe havens
- UN-designated terrorist organizations
- Support networks linked to terrorist activities
The Pahalgam attack had already been condemned in the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Declaration in 2025. Its inclusion again in the New Delhi Declaration makes terrorism a continuing priority for the grouping.
🇮🇳 Why the Pahalgam Reference Matters for India
The reference is diplomatically important for New Delhi.
BRICS is a diverse grouping that includes countries with different relationships and strategic interests in South Asia. The fact that the declaration again specifically names the Pahalgam attack demonstrates that the attack itself has received broad condemnation within the bloc.
Importantly, however, the declaration does not directly attribute the attack to Pakistan or explicitly endorse India’s subsequent military response. Instead, it focuses on the broader principles of combating terrorism, preventing safe havens and holding those responsible accountable.
This distinction is important when interpreting the declaration.
☢️ BRICS Urges Protection of Nuclear Facilities in West Asia
The declaration also addresses one of the most sensitive issues arising from the conflict in West Asia: the safety of nuclear facilities.
BRICS leaders expressed serious concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
They stressed that nuclear safety, security and safeguards must be maintained even during armed conflicts.
The position is particularly significant because the current regional conflict has involved attacks linked to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The declaration’s language represents a broader call to protect nuclear facilities from the dangers associated with military escalation.
Why does this matter?
An attack involving a nuclear facility can create risks that extend beyond the battlefield.
Potential consequences can include:
- Environmental contamination
- Risks to civilian populations
- Damage to critical infrastructure
- Regional instability
- Wider international security concerns
By emphasizing nuclear safety, BRICS is highlighting that military conflicts can have consequences far beyond the immediate combat zone.
🕊️ BRICS Calls for Restraint in the Middle East
The New Delhi Declaration comes at a particularly tense moment in the Middle East.
BRICS leaders expressed deep concern over escalating tensions and called for maximum restraint, urging countries to avoid actions that could further worsen the situation.
The declaration also reiterates support for resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy.
This is especially significant because the BRICS membership includes countries with sharply different relationships with the major players involved in the regional conflict.
Iran is a BRICS member, while the United Arab Emirates is also part of the grouping and maintains close ties with the United States.
Reaching consensus under these circumstances demonstrates the group’s effort to maintain a common diplomatic position despite internal differences.
💰 BRICS Raises Concerns About Unilateral Trade Measures
The declaration also moves beyond security issues.
BRICS leaders criticized the increasing use of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, arguing that such actions can distort international trade.
The issue is particularly relevant as major economies continue to use tariffs and sanctions as tools of economic and geopolitical policy.
BRICS has increasingly presented itself as a platform through which emerging and developing economies can push for a more balanced international economic system.
🌐 What Does the Declaration Mean for the Global South?
The latest BRICS declaration reflects a broader ambition: giving developing and emerging economies a stronger role in global decision-making.
BRICS leaders have increasingly emphasized:
More representation → More inclusive institutions → Stronger Global South voice
The group’s members collectively represent a substantial share of the world’s population and economic activity.
That gives BRICS considerable potential influence, although differences between member countries can make consensus difficult.
The New Delhi Declaration therefore matters not only because of the individual issues it addresses, but also because it demonstrates the group’s continuing attempt to develop a common voice on global affairs.
🇮🇳 India’s Role in the BRICS Summit
Hosting the summit gives India an important diplomatic platform.
New Delhi has sought to position BRICS as a mechanism for cooperation rather than simply an anti-Western alliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that BRICS is not against anyone, while arguing that the Global South should evolve into a stronger participant in shaping global rules.
India is also attempting to balance several strategic relationships simultaneously.
It maintains longstanding ties with Russia and Iran while also expanding economic, technological and strategic relations with the United States, Europe and other partners.
That balancing act makes India’s leadership of BRICS particularly significant.
🔎 What Are the Key Takeaways?
The New Delhi Declaration sends several important messages:
1. BRICS wants stronger global representation
The group continues to push for reforms to international institutions, including the UN Security Council.
2. Terrorism remains a shared concern
The Pahalgam attack was again condemned, with BRICS calling for zero tolerance and action against terrorist networks and safe havens.
3. Nuclear safety cannot be ignored during war
The declaration stresses the protection of peaceful nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure.
4. Diplomacy remains the preferred route
BRICS called for dialogue and restraint amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
5. Trade tensions are becoming a major concern
The bloc criticized unilateral tariffs and other trade restrictions that it says can distort international commerce.
6. The Global South wants a greater voice
BRICS is increasingly presenting itself as a platform for emerging economies seeking greater influence in global governance.
🤔 Can BRICS Stay United Despite Its Differences?
This may be the biggest question following the New Delhi summit.
BRICS is not a politically uniform alliance.
Its members have different:
- Foreign-policy priorities
- Economic interests
- Security relationships
- Regional disputes
- Relationships with the United States and Europe
Yet the group managed to produce a joint declaration covering some of the world’s most sensitive issues.
That does not mean every member agrees on every issue.
Instead, it shows that consensus is possible when countries focus on areas where their interests overlap.
🌍 What Could the New Delhi Declaration Mean for the Future?
The significance of the declaration could extend beyond the summit itself.
If BRICS members turn their statements on terrorism, UN reform, nuclear safety, trade and diplomacy into concrete cooperation, the group could become a more influential force in international affairs.
For India, the declaration also provides another opportunity to place issues such as terrorism, UN reform and greater Global South representation at the center of international discussions.
The real test, however, will be implementation.
A declaration can establish a common position.
Turning that position into meaningful action is much harder.
📝 Final Takeaway
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration reflects an attempt by a diverse group of emerging economies to find common ground at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Its condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, call for zero tolerance toward terrorism, support for UN and global governance reforms, and emphasis on nuclear safety and restraint in West Asia are particularly significant for India and the wider Global South.
The declaration also highlights a broader shift in international politics: countries outside the traditional Western power centers are increasingly seeking a greater role in deciding how global institutions, trade and security systems should work.
Whether BRICS can translate that ambition into lasting influence remains to be seen.
But one message from New Delhi is clear:
The Global South wants a bigger seat at the table—and BRICS intends to keep pushing for it.
💬 What Do You Think?
Do you believe BRICS can play a bigger role in reforming the United Nations and shaping global governance?
Share your views in the comments.
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