In a major diplomatic victory for India, the BRICS grouping on Saturday adopted the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ after overcoming sharp divisions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the comprehensive 45-page document, titled ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, at the end of the opening day’s deliberations in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders of the bloc.
The adoption marked a unified stance by the bloc against global terror, illegal financial flows, cyber fraud and emerging cross-border scam networks. BRICS is a consensus-based grouping, meaning any single member can block a final joint declaration.
TOP 10 POINTS:
1. The BRICS leaders endorsed New Delhi’s position to end conflict through “dialogue and diplomacy”. It called for addressing the root cause.
2. The group expressed “deep concern” over continued tensions in West Asia, while notably omitting direct mention of the US for its attacks on Iran. It called for “exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.”
3. The declaration stressed the need to work together to maintain a smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with “applicable” international law.
4. The group strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. “We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured,” the declaration added.
5. Reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the member states called for tackling the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing, and safe havens. “We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law,” the joint statement said.
6. The grouping also expressed “deep concern” over the continued violence in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement of October last year. “We call for halting any policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Strip and express concern regarding arrangements that may prejudice the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and legitimise or prolong occupation,” it said. The group said that a “just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return.”
7. The declaration links three strands of the BRICS economic agenda – opposition to unilateral tariffs, resistance to climate-linked trade barriers and reform of the WTO – into a broader demand for a trading system that gives emerging and developing economies a greater voice and more equitable access to global markets. The declaration criticised unilateral tariffs and trade-restrictive measures and opposed carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), saying such measures risk becoming discriminatory, protectionist barriers that disproportionately hurt developing economies. While the declaration did not mention any country, it comes amid an aggressive expansion of US tariff policy under President Donald Trump.
8. The group held discussions on promoting trade settlements and investments using BRICS local currencies, “while respecting national priorities and acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.” The group acknowledged “the efforts of the BRICS Payment Task Force (BPTF) towards exploring pragmatic solutions for efficient cross-border payment mechanisms.”
9. The bloc reiterated support for a “comprehensive reform” of the UN, including its Security Council, backing the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role – with China and Russia, as permanent members, explicitly reiterating their support for both countries’ bids.
10. It also extended “full support to China for its BRICS Chairship in 2027 and the holding of the XIX BRICS Summit in China.”